Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD Board to Set Budget, Tax Rates; Recent Meetings Yield No Decisions
The Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District board held two meetings in the past two weeks that produced no substantive decisions, according to official minutes. The board’s next significant actions will come later this week, when it holds a public hearing on the proposed 2026-2027 budget and tax rate, followed by a special meeting to adopt the budget and set tax rates.
Recent meetings
Special meeting (Aug. 13) – The board met at 5:00 p.m. The minutes contain only procedural and system-related information, with no record of decisions, approvals, or discussions. No substantive actions were taken.
Budget workshop (Aug. 19) – The board held a budget workshop at 5:30 p.m. The minutes are procedural only and record no substantive decisions, approvals, or votes.
Regular meeting (Aug. 19) – The board’s regular meeting was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. that day. The agenda included several action items: approving the July 2026 check register, designating a qualified employee for the School Guardian Program, appointing Rogelio Mercado and Teresa Lopez as adjunct faculty for Texas 4-H, authorizing issuance of Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2026 (listed as $1.5 million), approving the purchase of a new district vehicle, and certifying compliance with state law. The agenda also included reports on construction, curriculum, special education, and other operations, and a possible executive session for personnel matters. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions are recorded.
Upcoming budget and tax rate decisions
The board will hold a public hearing on Aug. 26 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed 2026-2027 tax rate and budget. Public comments are limited to five minutes, and no action will be taken during the hearing.
Immediately following the hearing, the board will hold a special meeting to consider approving budget amendments, adopting the district’s 2026-2027 budget, and setting the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rates for the 2026-2027 tax year. The board will also consider appointing a designated officer to calculate no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates, and hiring an elementary science teacher and an additional pre-kindergarten teacher. The board may enter executive session for personnel matters.
Coming up
- **Public Hearing Meeting** – Aug. 26, 5:00 p.m. – public hearing on proposed 2026-2027 tax rate and budget (no action).
- **Special Meeting** – Aug. 26, immediately after the hearing – adopt budget, set tax rates, and consider personnel hires.