Bastrop ISD Proposes $6 Million Budget Boost, but Early Returns Show Rejection

Unofficial results from five of 15 precincts in Bastrop Independent School District indicate that 66% of voters have rejected Proposition A, a proposed 1.3-cent tax rate increase for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The measure seeks to generate approximately $6 million in annual revenue for the district.

District Chief Financial Officer Mike White stated that the additional funds would consist of $2.4 million from local tax collections and $3.6 million in extra state funding. White explained that the district is currently operating with limited resources, noting that department heads were instructed to cut 15% of their spending during the budget process. He described the financial situation as having more needs than available resources.

The proposed increase aims to address a projected shortfall, improve staff pay and retention, hire additional campus officers, and maximize school funding under the current state formula. Bastrop ISD's Maintenance and Operations tax rate was $0.6669 per $100 valuation in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Homeowners aged 65 and older with a homestead exemption would be shielded from the increase.

During the early voting period from Oct. 19 to 30, 27,632 in-person ballots were cast in Bastrop County. This figure represented 42.2% of the county's registered voters. Polls remained open until 7 p.m. on Election Day, or until all voters in line had cast their ballots.

Election Day totals have not yet been released. All current results are unofficial until the canvassing process is complete. More data is expected as additional precincts report their tallies.