Resident questions Crowley ISD proposed tax rate, certified values and use of reserves

During the open-comment period, resident Ambika Sharma asked the board to explain why the proposed tax rate of 1.2552 is lower than the district's stated 'net new revenue' rate of 1.29223 and well below the voter-approval tax rate of 1.342585.

Sharma cited the district’s June projection of a $12.1 billion taxable base and said Tarrant Appraisal District later certified a $10.98 billion taxable base, a difference she described as roughly $1.1 billion or a 9.1% shortfall. She asked trustees how the district is forecasting its taxable base and whether drawing from reserves — she referenced a $6,300,000,000 withdrawal figure described as the deficit in her remarks — is sustainable.

"Is my conclusion here correct that by voting on a tax rate which is less than your net new revenue rate, you are further going into a deficit?" she asked, requesting clarification of the district's revenue forecasts and reserve levels.

The board proceeded to the scheduled finance presentation after the public comments; no immediate board response to Ms. Sharma’s questions is recorded in the transcript.