Are Higher Property Taxes in Your Future?

The City of San Antonio was able to balance its 2011 budget without raising taxes, but many other jurisdictions weren't so lucky.  Here is a summary of property tax hikes that are done deals and possible tax hikes.

South San ISD 

South San Antonio ISD's board of trustees has approved an increase in the district's tax rate from $1.4338 to $1.4549 per $100 of property value, district spokesman Ed Suarez said.

Alamo Colleges

The half-cent property tax increase will raise the tax bill by $7 to a total of $205 on a house worth $145,424, the average home price in Bexar County this year.

City of Garden Ridge  (Comal County)

A preliminary tax rate of $0.262972 per $100 valuation was approved by the Garden Ridge City Council on Aug. 4, which would be an increase $0.008 cents from last year's rate of $0.254808.

 City of Castle Hills

Council also approved a property tax rate up to 50.134 cents per $100 valuation, the second such increase since 2003.

The proposed budget would raise more total property tax revenue than in the fiscal year 2010 budget by $197,996 or 8.8 percent, and of that amount, $14,156 is tax revenue to be raised from new properties added to the tax rolls.

University Health System

Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday tentatively approved a nearly 4 percent increase in the tax rate for the University Health System — which could boost next year's taxes on the average home by about $13 — to finish paying for a $900 million building program.

Possible Tax Hikes

Boerne ISD (Kendall County)

Trustees are set to vote Sept. 27 on adopting a property tax rate just over $1.31 per $100 in assessed property value, down from $1.33.

San Antonio ISD

The San Antonio Independent School District is about to embark on its largest bond campaign to date: a $515 million package that includes extensive renovations to 22 schools, districtwide technology and security upgrades, and a controversial $35 million for improvements to Alamo Stadium and the Convocation Center.

The tax impact of the bond proposal, if approved, would be phased in. Property taxes would begin increasing in 2012 and would peak in 2027, when the average homeowner, with property now valued at $80,882, would pay an additional $9.97 per month, according to the district. It would not increase taxes for senior citizens who have filed for exemptions.

Southside ISD

The Southside Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to call a tax rate election on Sept. 18.

Voters will decide whether to approve a tax rate change that could raise an additional $2.7 million for the district. District officials believe increasing one portion of the tax rate and decreasing another by the same amount would not raise the overall tax rate of about $1.37 per $100 valuation.

Officials have said that the swap of 13 pennies from one side of the tax rate to the other would raise millions because the state weights funding for certain portions of the tax rate.

Judson ISD

Judson's committee is considering a recommendation that would include construction of two new elementary schools, a new high school and renovations and upgrades to several other campuses.

The group has been considering a $341 million “wish list” and prioritizing those items, Judson board member and committee chairman Steve Salyer said.

 School boards have until Aug. 24 to decide whether to call for a November election.

If you are not sure what jurisdictions your property falls in check out the Bexar Appraisal District Property Search, the Comal Appraisal District Property Search, or the Kendall Appraisal District Property Search websites.