The Abilene ISD Board of Trustees voted Thursday to call a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. The local finance referendum - called Proposition A on the ballot - will determine whether or not AISD can access more than $10 million in new funding each year to support students, staff, and schools. That amount includes $3.7 million in local funding, which voters will be asked to approve on the ballot, and $6.3 million in state funding.
A VATRE is a local school finance election that asks voters to consider allowing the district to access additional pennies on the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate. AISD Trustees approved an 8-cent reduction to the district’s Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate on Thursday, made possible by rising property values. They also called the VATRE election for 6 new cents on the operational side of the budget. Voters will be asked whether they are for or against the M&O tax rate change.
Regardless of the outcome of the November vote, Abilene ISD taxpayers will see a decrease in the overall local school tax rate, and the annual property tax payment on an average AISD property will decrease. The election ballot will also include a Constitutional Amendment for an additional $40,000 Homestead Exemption, which will lower the overall taxable value of the average primary residence in Abilene. Residents who are 65 and older will not be impacted by the VATRE as long as they don’t make improvements to their primary residence.
Without VATRE passage, the average annual property tax bill in Abilene would realize a $208.67 decrease. With VATRE passage, that same property tax bill will still realize a $174.07 decrease.
If the VATRE passes, it will generate more than $10 million in funds for AISD students, staff, and schools annually. To reiterate, VATRE passage means AISD will have over $10 million in increased revenue that stays local every single year and never creates new debt for the district. VATRE money would be used to close the gap on a $3.4 million operating deficit caused by rising inflation, underfunded state mandates, and declining enrollment. VATRE passage would also help AISD increase employee compensation and address an aging school bus fleet.
If the VATRE does not pass, AISD will not have access to the $10+ million in new funds for students, staff, and schools, and the district will address the remaining $3.4 million operating deficit with additional budget cuts.
To participate in the November election, register to vote by Monday, Oct. 6. Early voting will be held Oct. 20-31.
The Abilene community is invited to learn more about public school finance, the AISD budget, and the VATRE by visiting budgetblueprint.abileneisd.org.