As expected, the Tomball Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the district’s 2010-11 budget at a June 13 meeting, maintaining a tax rate that has remained unchanged for three years.

The $100.5 million budget includes a tax rate of $1.36 per $1,000 of property valuation for Tomball ISD residents, of which $1.01 will go toward the General Fund and $.35 toward the Debt Service Fund.

Also as expected, the projected revenues, $99.5 million, come up $1 million short of the appropriations. Part of the reason for the deficit is an increase of more than $720,000 next year in debt service payments, as well as a spike of approximately $3.1 million in payroll costs over last year.

However, Tomball ISD Chief Financial Officer Jim Ross explained that the district had expected and prepared for the deficit and last year set aside $1 million in debt service reserves in order to make up the difference.

The district’s main funding source is local property taxes, which accounts for 67 percent of all revenue Tomball ISD generates. Next year, more than $67.6 million is expected to be accumulated through property taxes.

The second largest contributor to the Tomball ISD coffers are “State Foundation Payments,” which come to $24.3 million, or about 24 percent of the district’s expected income.

The remaining 9 percent of income is brought in through various local, state and federal entities.

With the opening of the district’s second high school scheduled for August of next year, as well as with the addition of several new facilities in the district funded by a $198 million voter-approved bond, Tomball ISD’s total payroll is increasing by about $3 million next year, from $65 million to $68 million.

With 67 percent of funds being delegated, payroll costs make up the majority of expenses for the district. With the influx of new schools, buildings and renovations, Tomball ISD will see its Debt Service payment rise about $800,000 next year to $18.4 million.

To view the complete budget, visit www.tomballisd.net

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