Godley ISD school board trustees held a workshop to review the 2023-24 budget proposal on August 14, 2023, at Godley High School.

The proposed budget and tax rate was outlined by Executive Director of Finance Bryan Myres.  The proposal, which includes a balanced operating budget, is comprised of:

• General Fund:  $35.7 million

• Food Service:  $2.19 million

• Debt Service:  $10.5 million

If finalized, the school district’s tax rate will have declined for the second year in a row.  The proposed combined property tax rate is $1.2982 per $100 of property valuation representing a decrease of $0.1854 (12.5%) over last year's combined tax rate of $1.4746.  Maintenance and operation taxes cover regular expenses such as instructional materials, utilities and salaries. Interest and sinking taxes go toward debt payments for new buildings, renovations and other capital improvement projects.

Myres reported that the lower maintenance and operations tax rate is due to growth in local property values.  He also discussed that voters statewide will consider a constitutional amendment in November allowing for an increase in the residential homestead exemption from the current $40,000 to a proposed $100,000.

Board members will hold a public hearing on the budget and tax rate proposals during the next regular meeting.

In other action, trustees approved two change orders to address current construction:

• The first change regarding Phase 2 projects including the high school career and technical education center and competition gymnasium is necessary to address infrastructure improvements required by Johnson County Special Utility District as well as other updates not included in early bid documents.  

• The second order adds refurbishment of the athletic field at Legacy Elementary School back into the scope of Phase 3.  The project had been removed due to cost escalation, but cost savings enable the work to proceed without any impact to the guaranteed maximum price previously approved for the phase.  The field will be utilized by soccer teams in the spring and will be available in the future for high school subvarsity and middle school teams as well as community practices and games.

School trustees have their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.