I want to clarify some information presented last week during this newscast on the Joaquin ISD Tax Ratification Election to be held Sept. 13.

According to Joaquin ISD Superintendent Phil Worsham, the election is required since the Joaquin ISD is increasing the Maintenance & Operations tax.

He says the school district's total tax rate decreases 2.05 cents with passage. He said the district is required to hold an election if the Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate goes above $1.04. Worsham said the Joaquin ISD is asking for $1.17 for M&O which is a 13 cent increase that generates some $400,000 in state and local funds.

He added this will maximize Joaquin ISD's funding from the state. The Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate funds the bond payments. He said they'll use reserves to offset the decrease in I&S, thus receiving all they can for the Joaquin ISD tax payers from state funding while keeping the tax rate as low as possible.

He went on to say Joaquin ISD is decreasing the I&S tax rate by 15.05 cents, which will give the district a M&O plus I&S tax rate of $1.5855 per $100 property valuation. This together gives you the total tax rate that is 2.05 cents less than last year's total tax rate.

Worsham says if any tax payer in the Joaquin ISD has any question, to please call the administration office at 269-3128.

Early voting for the Tax Ratification Election is Aug. 27 thru Sept. 9.