A VATRE is a local school funding election or Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election that asks voters whether or not they authorize the district to access the maintenance and operations tax rate to generate additional local and state funding.

VATREs can only be called during the November general election.

The Abilene ISD VATRE generated $10 million in local and state funding for staff salaries and operational costs.

Since 2019, the Abilene ISD tax rate has decreased by 36 cents. AISD does not set property values. Voters will not only decide whether or not to grant AISD permission to access local/state funding through the VATRE, they will also be voting on an additional $40,000 Homestead exemption which will reduce the overall taxable value on their primary residence.

The VATRE resulted in $10 million in local and state funding every year to address local district costs and the deficit budget.

With the additional $40,000 Homestead Exemption on the November ballot, the average taxable home value in Abilene ISD is $188,874.

Regardless of the outcome of this election, the overall tax rate will decrease and the tax bill for the average AISD homeowner will also decrease. 

VATRE money stays local and is made available to AISD every year.

Property taxes for Abilene ISD residents 65 and older are frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE.

No. Unlike a school bond election, a VATRE does not create new debt. It creates additional funding for specific purposes. The additional funding raised by a VATRE stays local and is available to AISD annually.

Citizens 65 and older who have not made improvements to their homes have their taxes frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE.

Visit https://www.votetexas.gov/ to register or check your voter eligibility.