WHAT IS A BOND?

A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.

HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?

Bond funds can be used to pay for new construction, renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, and technology infrastructure. Bonds cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs, such as salaries, utility bills, supplies, maintenance and fuel.

WHAT IS A BOND ELECTION?

School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects.

HOW WAS THE BOND PACKAGE DEVELOPED?

The bond package was developed by the Facility Planning Committee and approved by The Board of Trustees. Please visit the Committee page to learn more.

HOW WAS THE BOND AMOUNT DECIDED ON?

Although the district’s bonding capacity is $97,000,000 as determined by the District’s Financial Advisor, the Committee and Board of Trustees decided to stay below that threshold in the best interest of taxpayers. Budgeted amounts for projects in the proposal are determined by an estimate provided through a construction consultant and will be finalized when put to bid if the bond proposal is passed to guarantee the best price possible. Any savings from the budget will be used in the approved projects and committee-identified district-wide priorities.

WHERE CAN I FIND EXACTLY WHAT IS PROPOSED IN THE BOND PACKAGE?

Visit the Bond Proposal page to see a breakdown of the proposition and project descriptions.

I WANT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

Information included in the proposal is an overview. Please reach out using the submission box with any additional questions. Precise renderings have not been budgeted for at this time as to honor stakeholder input and practice fiscal responsibility.

WHAT IS KEMP ISD’S CURRENT TAX RATE?

Kemp ISD’s current Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate is $0.7572 and its Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate is $0.2195 for a total tax rate of $0.9744.

HOW WILL THE 2025 BOND PACKAGE AFFECT MY TAXES?

If approved, the maximum estimated tax impact would be an additional $0.241 cents to the current Kemp ISD tax rate. A monthly tax impact calculator can be found here.

WHY IS MY TAX BILL HIGHER IF THE TAX RATE STAYS THE SAME?

The amount of taxes paid by each taxpayer is calculated by multiplying the district tax rate by each $100 of taxable value of the property. Therefore, if your assessed taxable value goes up, the amount you pay will go up even if the tax rate remains unchanged. The assessed value is set by your county appraisal district, not the school district.

WHAT IF I’M OVER 65 AND RECEIVE THE “SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION” AND MY HOME VALUE GOES UP? WILL MY SCHOOL TAXES INCREASE?

No, according to state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 – regardless of changes in tax rate or property value – unless significant improvements are made to the home. Normal repairs, maintenance and the economic impact of the market cannot increase the amount of taxes you will pay once a tax ceiling is in place on that homestead.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?

Any registered voter who lives within the Kemp ISD boundaries — and whose voter registration is based on their current Kemp ISD residence — is eligible to vote in this bond election. This includes residents in both Kaufman and Henderson County.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?

The last day to apply for voter registration is April 3, 2025 in order to vote in the May 3, 2025 election.

HOW CAN I CHECK TO SEE IF I AM REGISTERED?

Visit this website to check your registration status.