School district taxes (Houston, The Woodlands, Spring: sales, foreclosure, house)

[Float]

We've been in Houston about 6 months now and we hear often about how high the taxes are for Katy ISD. Looks like the rate for Katy ISD is 1.5 from what I can tell. Then we looked 5 miles over in Lamar CISD hearing that their tax rate is so low.... and theirs says 1.29.

I'm so confused. 1.29 vs 1.5 doesn't seem like much to me. Both districts are going to need to build out more as the population moves west/southwest. Am I missing a key component to this? I admit I'm quite new to Texas.

Thanks for your help

[pc50]

No you are not missing anything. That is what bothers me the most about these posts. Last week there was a post about KISD being the death of Katy because of some enormous tax rate and over building. I guess you would propose they not build any new schools and just overcrowd them. Like it or not, the west side of Houston is growing and either you can get on board or just get run over. See the attached link and see what other tax rates are for other school districts. I do not know about you but I would rather pay a little higher tax rate for the quality schools and education that Katy offers as well as protecting my home value. There are plenty of MPC's that have held up very well. The Woodlands is over 30 years old, Cinco nearly 20, First Colony, the list goes on and on.

HCAD: Jurisdiction Information

[pdouglas]

[SIZE=3]I live in Pecan Grove and we are zoned to LCISD and FBISD. My neighbors living in FBISD pay more overall taxes than I do. I think the school tax is a contributing factor but you must look at the overall taxes. I pulled this info from HAR. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]One really nice house located in Shadow Grove Estates (5042 sq ft, located on ¾ acre of land in a master planned community in Fort Bend (LCISD district) has a tax assessed value of $409,040 with a tax bill of $7,422.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The second table is from a house located in Cinco Ranch (3612 sq ft, 8400 sq ft lot) with a tax assessed value of $337,490 with a tax bill of $10,075.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The third table is from a foreclosure in Sienna (5206 sq ft, 12,874 sq ft lot,) listed at $384,800 with a tax assessed value of $451,240 and a tax bill of $13,974. One of the main reasons why I believe there are sooooo many homes foreclosed/sale in Sienna. The taxes are outrageous. [/SIZE]
Tax Rate (Year 2008)
LAMAR C ISD
[RIGHT][RIGHT]1.2977[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO GNRL FND
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.4987[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO DRAINAGE
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.0180[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Total Tax Rate
[RIGHT][RIGHT]1.8144[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]


Appraisal Value:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$409,040[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Tax Amount:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$7,422 / Year[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]



Tax Rate (Year 2008)
KATY ISD
[RIGHT][RIGHT]1.5266[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
CINCO MUD 10
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.6500[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO GNRL FND
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.4987[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
WILLOW FORK DRAINGE
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.2000[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND ESD #2
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.0920[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO DRAINAGE
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.0180[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Total Tax Rate
[RIGHT][RIGHT]2.9853[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]


Appraisal Value:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$337,490[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Tax Amount:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$10,075 / Year[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]



Tax Rate (Year 2008)
FORT BEND ISD
[RIGHT][RIGHT]1.2500[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
SIENNA PLANTATION MUD 3
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.7500[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
SIENNA PLANTATION LID
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.5800[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO GNRL FND
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.4987[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
FORT BEND CO DRAINAGE
[RIGHT][RIGHT]0.0180[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Total Tax Rate
[RIGHT][RIGHT]3.0967[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]


Appraisal Value:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$451,240[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]
Tax Amount:
[RIGHT][RIGHT]$13,974 / Year[/RIGHT][/RIGHT]

[Tinkerbelle]

Originally Posted by Float

We've been in Houston about 6 months now and we hear often about how high the taxes are for Katy ISD. Looks like the rate for Katy ISD is 1.5 from what I can tell. Then we looked 5 miles over in Lamar CISD hearing that their tax rate is so low.... and theirs says 1.29.

I'm so confused. 1.29 vs 1.5 doesn't seem like much to me. Both districts are going to need to build out more as the population moves west/southwest. Am I missing a key component to this? I admit I'm quite new to Texas.

Thanks for your help

Hope I can help. We have recently moved from Long Meadow Farms to Cross Creek Ranch. The tax rate is not all that much diffferent, but in my experience the school districts are worlds apart. For those that may think Katy ISD is overrated they should have their children attend LCISD.

My kids attended a LCISD elementary school for 4 years, one K-3 the other grades 2-5. If I had known the difference between the 2 districts it wouldn't have been that long. They did well in LCISD but are absolutely thriving at their new schools in Katy. Truthfully I don't mind paying Katy taxes for the education they are getting, it was disheartening in LCISD to be paying the high taxes and not get the education.

[Float]

Tinkerbelle, Do you might elaborating on the differences you've experienced with Lamar vs Katy schools? PM me if you feel more comfortable that way.

How was Weekley to work with during the building process?

[usc619]

One thing I've learned from this board is there's always a group of folks that are always trying to promote their interest......I guess the more people we get to move out here, the better it is for our resale value....I get that. I just have this little problem of being a straight shooter..... Katy is a great place to live but it has it's downfalls......funny thing is I only hear one side of it on these boards, many people I meet and talk with doesn't feel the same way lol

As far as the taxes, yes they are high considering the fact that you're getting the same edu as CFISD, LCISD and FBISD without the 20 percent homestead exemption.

Here's a few examples you can educate yourself with...

How will you fare under the new school tax law? / Region's biggest bills are in Katy, which could see significant cuts 06/19/2006 | Archives | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Spring Branch ISD

BTW; 1.29 vs 1.5 is a lot when you tact that on the rest of your bill LMAO the link reflects the old 2006 rate, but I think you'll get the point.

[usc619]

Speaking of school districts... here's a helpful map you can click on for info Independent School District(ISD) Map - Diane Moser Properties, Inc. - Houston School Information

[Float]

usc619 - what do you mean "without the 20% homestead exemption"? I haven't owned a home in Texas before, but I thought we'd be eligible in Katy or Fulshear.

[descovy]

If I can answer... most ISDs offer a 20% homestead exemption... so if your home is valued at $200k they only tax you as if it is worth $160k.

Katy ISD however, only exempts $15k off the value of your home. So a home valued at $200k would be taxed as if it's worth $185k.

Pretend random ISD, $200k home... 1.3% taxed like it's worth $160k is $2,080.

KISD home valued at $200k... 1.5% taxed like it's worth $185k is $2,775.

That's a difference of $695 a year! The more expensive the home the bigger difference though.

Pretend it is a $400k home... Random ISD exempts $80k ... tax bill is $4160
KISD $400k home exempts $15k... tax bill is $5775.
That's a difference of $1615 a year in ISD taxes!

[Float]

Very interesting..... considering the folks that explained the homestead exemption to us newbies initially were sales folks at a Cinco Ranch model home; Katy ISD. I didn't hear a word about 15%. It was all 20%.