MISD property tax rate reduction proposed

By RICHARD MARK GLOVER

MARFA – A proposed property tax rate reduction was unanimously approved by the Marfa Independent School District Board of Trustees during a special meeting here Monday night.

“It should provide taxpayers with a savings this year,” said Victoria Sanchez, MISD Chief Financial Officer.

The proposed tax reduction will cut nearly nine cents per $100 valuation by restructuring the debt-service of the district’s outstanding bonds on the MISD books. Maintenance and Operations will remain at the state-mandated maximum of $1.04 per $100 value. The total tax rate proposed will drop to $1.2826 from $1.37 per $100 valuation.

The 2012 uncertified taxable property value for Presidio County is $155,577,332, up by about $3.6 million from 2011.

Sanchez based her tax reduction plan on a collection rate of 95 percent. “We’ve been very fortunate with collections,” she said.

A public meeting has been set for 7:30pm Monday, August 27 to approve the tax rate and adopt the 2012-2013 budget.

Trustees also approved a consultation agreement with lone MISD superintendent finalist Andrew Peters. The seven-year veteran superintendent from Poth and Louise is expected to begin work in Marfa on Monday as a consultant. He was named the lone finalist on July 26 in a unanimous vote.

A Texas superintendent’s term contract can only be offered after a 21-day “cooling-off period” expires, in accordance with Texas Education Agency rules. Marfa trustees are expected to formally hire Peters on Thursday, August 16. Beginning Monday, Peters will be paid $429 per day for his work next week.

In other personnel matters, MHS and soon-to-be Sul Ross State University graduate Mirna Borunda was contracted by the board to serve as the junior high and high school Academic Learning Center coordinator on a one-year probationary contract with the provision that she completes her teacher certification. Borunda came to the United States from Mexico as a child and learned English as a second language. Her duties will include working with students who have limited English proficiency.

“I think Mirna has the simpatico to address our students whose first language is Spanish,” said board president Robert Halpern. “Not only will she be their instructor, she’ll be their role model of success.”