MART, Texas — Mart Independent School District is asking citizens and taxpayers to return to the polls to vote on a $50 million bond proposal.
The issue contains three propositions that the district said are necessary to help maintain itself for the next 10 years.
"We've got some big plans to kind of help with that enrollment growth that we've seen over the last few years," said Betsy Burnett, Mart ISD Superintendent.
Here's how the bond proposal breaks down:
- Proposition A is worth $33 million and if passed, it would most urgently address the expansion needed at Mart Elementary School. Other funds would be used to renovate Mart High School and other academic needs.
- Proposition B is worth $5 million and if passed it would address renovations necessary at Mart Football Stadium, specifically the concession stand and restrooms.
- Proposition C is worth $12 million and if passed it would provide funds for upgrades at recreational facilities.
Burnett said if the bond election passes, the district wouldn't receive the money instantly, they would like it to be phased in intervals to best serve the district, and more importantly, taxpayers.
"We have the ability to fluctuate our tax rate and we've promised that we won't," Burnett said. "We will only sell the amount of bonds based on what our wind and solar farms generate and so if we can't get all $50 million over the next 10 years, we only take what we can get to maintain that tax rate."
Mart ISD said the November 2023 bond election would be at no extra cost to the taxpayers. Instead, the district wants to take the opportunity to capitalize on nearby renewable resources that are bringing in extra revenue.
"The citizens of Mart are only paying 29% of this debt, the [wind and solar farm] companies are making up the other 71% of the debt," Burnett explained. "Which is great for a small town like ours that didn't really have anything going on for it before."
Mart ISD is surrounded by wind and solar farms and Burnett said they have benefitted the district so much to provide for the last bond proposal and the current one.
"They wouldn't be possible without those Chapter 313 agreements and those companies and the values," Burnett added.
Mart ISD also takes pride in the fact that they have lowered its tax rate by over 30 cents and 21% since 2018.
Election Day is Nov. 7.
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