AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR’S TAX RATE. THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 10.4 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $10.43.

The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees adopted a $.1020 (10.20 cents) property tax rate for fiscal year 2016-17 on Tuesday, September 6. The .0015 cent increase over last year is due to voter-approved bonds.

“We are grateful for the community’s investment in ACC and remain committed to delivering an exceptional return on that investment,” says Dr. Vic Villarreal, ACC board chair. “Campus renovation and new construction projects are happening districtwide to provide new and exciting opportunities that prepare students for well-paying jobs in our community.”

The college’s new tax rate remains among the lowest at community colleges statewide. The maintenance and operations portion of the tax rate remains unchanged at $.09, a rate that hasn’t increased since 2006. The board previously voted to maintain in-district tuition rates: At $67 per credit, ACC tuition remains the most affordable among area colleges and universities.

ACC benefits from a large tax base that includes portions of six counties. The region’s increasing property values and new growth allow the college to balance deep cuts in state funding, which has dropped from approximately 40 percent to less than 20 percent of ACC’s annual budget in recent years.

To offset the impact of increased property appraisals, the college increased its tax exemption for seniors and homeowners with disabilities by $10,000, from $135,000 to $145,000, the largest exemption among taxing entities in Central Texas. The college also grants a standard $5,000 homestead exemption.

Over the next year construction will begin on several ACC capital improvement projects, including a new campus in Leander, renovations on the 100-year-old Rio Grande Campus, and expansions at Round Rock, Elgin, Hays, and Highland campuses. Districtwide improvements also are planned.

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