Early Voting Continues In Carroll ISD

Early voting continues now through September 11 in the Carroll ISD two-cent tax ratification election. Registered voters can cast a ballot during early voting hours at Southlake Town Hall, third floor, 1400 Main Street, Southlake. Voting will take place on both Saturdays, with extended hours on September 8, 10 and 11. The polls will be closed on Sundays and on Labor Day. A complete list of early voting times is available on the district's website under the CarrollBudget.com icon.

Voters will decide whether or not to authorize the Board of Trustees to raise the Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate two pennies per $100 valuation - from $1.04 to $1.06 - which will generate about $1.1 million in local tax revenues to address the 2012-2013 operating deficit. If the election passes, all of the funds generated by the additional two cents would stay in Carroll ISD, and it would mean an increase of about $25 each year for the average homeowner in CISD.  If the election passes, the CISD deficit will be $2.8 million. If it does not pass, the deficit will be $3.9 million. Trustees have been considering a number of options to address the operating deficit. These options include using fund balance to cover the difference, changing scheduling, teaming and/or class sizes, program and/or positions cuts, the sale of land when market conditions are right, a shift of the fiscal year, etc.  Trustees gave a 1.5-cent debt service tax decrease for 2012–2013. Taxpayers will benefit from the debt service tax decrease regardless of the outcome of the September 15 special election. Election day voting will take place Saturday, September 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the Art Center of Carroll Senior High School, 1501 W. Southlake Blvd.