Property taxes in Texas are one of the biggest issues being discussed by the Texas legislature right now with many lawmakers hoping to lower taxes. 

It’s an issue that has the attention of Frisco ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip.

According to the Texas Tribune, the state currently has a 32.7 billion dollar budget surplus that’s being attributed to record-breaking tax collections during the last 18 months.

As part of that, Governor Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to spend 15-billion dollars to lower property taxes in the state.

In August, Frisco ISD lowered its tax rate for the year, but in general, Texans pay a higher proportion of their home value toward property taxes, than homeowners in almost every other state.

“From a taxpayer point of view, obviously increasing property values are a concern,” Waldrip said. “I think also it may be limiting some of our families that have younger children from being able to move here.”

Here in Frisco, property values and the tax rate have an impact on the school district according to Waldrip.

“I think property values are always a concern for taxpayers. Of course, when property values increase, the school district generates more revenue,” he said. “Now we get more money as a school district. When we get more students, just because we generate more revenue with increased property values doesn’t mean we get to keep all that money. Most of that goes back to the state.”

Waldrip also believes the property taxes may contribute to the growth at the secondary level.

“A lot of us think that may be contributing to why we’re seeing the greater growth at the secondary level,” he said. “Simply because those families are more established, their parents are more established, they can afford to move into some of the higher priced homes in FISD.”

The debate over property taxes in Texas is expected to continue until a budget is passed, which is expected later this spring.