Good. I'll go vote against.

Removed By Request

Is the swimming pool in the issue we are voting on?

@tflea : Nope.

@AtascaMom : We are at the 1.52% cap rate... so, taxes cannot be increased. One of the reasons they want to go the bond route. If the cap is raised, aren't we supposed to vote on any increases? I remember having to vote when HISD raised it to 1.52 a few years ago. #IStandWithOrdnanceman on this.

@sandman : Not an accountant are you? Bond money can only be used for capital improvements, not operating funds. So.....wrong. Now, if you think our budget can't withstand the increased interest payments I'll listen.I'll be voting for the bond. Good people from the community thoroughly vetted this issue. We evidently and obviously need these capital improvements.

The teachers use more and more websites every day, giving our kids lives away to some corporate geek. They do less and less, and don't even realize they will be replaced soon by computers. They are a big social experiment led by liberal administrators and liberal teachers that are unionized and can spend whatever they wanted as long ad it's in the budget.Why is it them more.money they get, the worst kids do on standardized testing???Have you seen the HAC that HISD pays millions for? Kids could program a better web application.

@Clydepuckett : No, I'm not an accountant. But that is a general obligation bond, right? So, my concern is the district builds, repairs and updates a bunch of infrastructure, therefore the operating budget will increase. How do we pay for the increase in the operating budget? Increase in tax revenue from new homes / property owners. What happens when the growth stops (ie the area is build out) or if the projected growth doesn't happen? How will the district deal with a tax revenue shortfall in the future? Remember that I'm from a country where big public works are built... then we fail to maintain them and they deteriorate to the point of been a public hazard and nuisance... then bonds are sold, but the funds don't ever get to where they need to go, they end up in someone's pocket. Rinse and repeat for generation after generation. So that is my background and why I'm typically concerned about GO bonds. I'm not saying that happens here, but I will always have my suspicions. Revenue bonds, on the other hand, are different in my mind.

Bump!

Also see explanation of bond process provided by Robert Sitton -For those of you who understand school finance, you will know that a school district can only sell bonds: 1. After authorization from the voters and 2. Only within existing capacity, as regulated by the state. If the voters approve the bond referendum, that does not mean the district will immediately go out and sell $575 million and begin paying interest on that debt. What it means is, as capacity becomes available, the district will sell bonds that have been authorized by the voters. A perfect example was the 2008 referendum. The district did not sell the final allotment until 2016 because the recession lowered property values which reduced revenue, thus lowering capacity. The current referendum is scheduled to cover a six year period. I would expect the district to sell roughly $80 - $100 million per year. Remember, the district does not add to outstanding debt until they sell bonds and receive the proceeds. The tax rate is not going to increase. This is in our control. Property values change yearly via HCAD appraisals, out of our control. The one thing the Board of Trustees did was authorize HCAD to reappraise due to Harvey. This will give those effected some relief. I would also recommend everyone look at the existing debt schedule: roughly 57% has a maturity of 15 years or less and an additional "roughly" 34% has a maturity of 21 years or less. By paying off existing debt and projected growth of our community, this gives the district the capacity needed to sell bonds. If growth slows, capacity slows. Let me be very clear, Humble ISD is NOT raising taxes to fund this bond referendum.

👍🏼

Be careful....They may claim not to "raise taxes", but as in any loan, they could keep the "rate" the same but lengthen the term to say they didn't "technically" raise taxes...A "common loan" scenario to illustrate:$10k at 2% rate for 24 mos. = $425.40 mo. payment, total interest=$209.65 ($10,209.65)
$10k at 2% rate for 48 mos. = $216.95 mo. payment, total interest=$413.65 ($10,413.65)
$10k at 2% rate for 60 mos. = $175.28 mo. payment, total interest=$516.65 ($10,516.65)So, when they submit the "budget" every year, it will be high for more years but rates the same...

@EddyFree : Well, the tax rate won't change but the HCAD valuations can change up to10% per annum. Mine stayed the same this year after continually increasing over the last years.Currently we pay$1.17 per$100 in Maintenance & Operations tax and $0.35 in Interest &Sinking taxes. M&O pays salaries, utilitities, etc. S&I pays off interest and principal on debt. We are at the state mandated max on M&O. The mandated max on S&I is $0.50, so we could theoretically see a rate increase in this area. Board is saying not, though. We have a pretty high rate as compared to many districts. Typical of a fast growth district. The projections are that it will not be needed. That is always a moving target every two years when the Texas Lege gets together. No one is safe then......God help us. There was a good bill that didn't reach the floor on school taxes in the last session. I'll not elaborate as my post would exceed @Fairlane67's tolerance......may have already.

The money shot-What are the terms of the bond?

Loan terms will most likely be determined at the time of sale based on market conditions. Y'all feel free to correct me though, I can take it....