Irion County ISD August 27 2026
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Agenda Analysis | Meeting Review | Meeting Documents | Commentary | Last Meeting
A. Agenda Analysis
Budget, Items 5 and 6 #2: This is the meeting where the Board formally approves its 26-27 budget. Here is the public notice about the budget and proposed tax rate. To drill down, go to the Financial Transparency page of the IC ISD website.
Budget amendments, Items 5 and 6 #4: This item addresses amendments to the 25-26 budget to true it up before the end of the fiscal year (Aug 31). I highligted "as presented" as I have in the past. I'm a broken record on this issue: "as presented" is not specific enough, so an average person could not tell what this item is about. IF there is any fiscal mismanagement ( I am confident that isn't the case here), the time and place where it could be swept under the rug is in the agenda for the last meeting of the fiscal year. This especially could occur where, as in this community, the public doesn't attend school board meetings to question the budget. (Not the case, for example, with the County's budget.) Where it really becomes problematic is when the minutes are approved after this meeting. If the minutes read something generic like "Board Member B made a motion to approve budget amendments as presented" without describing even generally what those amendments cover, then there is no public accountability for how the budget was trued up at the end of the year. Transparency begets accountability, and that is a very good thing when dealing with public funds.
Approve the 26-27 tax rate, items 5 and 6 #3: Dr. Joyce Gray, Tax Assessor and Collector, will be present to guide the Board on exactly how this has to be done.
B. Meeting Review
Chad Koonce lead his first meeting as President of the Board, and it was one of the most significant meetings of the year. The Board accomplished a lot in short order.
26-27 budget, Items 5 and 6 #2: The Board is now using BoardBook, a paperless live meeting software, but I am still working out my subscription. I couldn't follow along with the discussion as well. That said, the District has budgeted a $303,000 deficit for 26-27, as opposed to a $420,000 deficit budget for 25-26. That's improvement, but hold that thought for this same meeting in 27. Property valuations went down in Irion County 29%, and in practical terms for recapture that means the $8.1 M in recapture to the State this year has been reduced in this budget to $ 5.4 M in this budget. (Irion County is a "wealthy" district because of its oil and gas property values.) The State is getting less money too. The legislative session starts in January 2027, and they will be looking to recover their income.
Budget amendments, Items 5 and 6 #4: The Board approved two that I could tell from listening in. There was a $527,000 amendment ($375,000 of that from a state ordered recapture correction from the previous fiscal year), and $35,000 for cafeteria. That $375,000 correction is what to watch for at this meeting in 27. Ms. Lakey is correct when she says the State always comes back asking for more. They do, an that fact could make the budget process for 27-28 very difficult. Now that I now know what the amendments were about, here is an improved agenda item that deletes "as presented": Approve the 25-26 budget amendments concerning recapture and cafeteria.
2026 Tax Rate, items 5 and 6 #3: The Board approved the same rate as last year, which is significant considering the loss in property value.
Bond issuance, Item 6 # 8: The Board approved the issuance of the second half of the 2024 bond election - $25 M at a True Interest Cost at 4.8934%. The sale is not particularly timely given the recent volatility in the bond market. Regrettably, this mean higher costs and longer maturity term - 30 years.
I'm going to take a leap here that the Board under President Koonce is going to continue the Board's discipline of paying off their bonds early. Vice President Carlile piped in just at the right moment in this meeting to point out that the 2019 bonds will be paid off in 2027. That's what is going to keep the District out of trouble, but years like this one where there is a 29% property value decrease have a potential of creating hurt for years. Issuing bonds is no different than any other loan - it is a judgment call for the government for when they think you can get the best rate. In August of 2024, the Board went out for its first round with a $30 million issuance. If I recall correctly, the rate was much better and the maturity was 15 or 20 years. There was some talk then about doing the entirety in one issuance, and I suppose now...hindsight is 20/20.
C. Commentary
765 kV update: I am preparing "Exceptions" to the PFD in the 59475 case. Exceptions are typically where one points out where the ALJ got the PFD wrong, but in this case I will be saying where they got it right. I will file those on September 2 and post them on my 765 kV page.
Irion County Commissioner's Court budget. Several of us spoke out yesterday against a $10,000 line item in the Sheriff's budget to pay for Flock cameras. Go here to see the location of Flock cameras in Irion County. My opposition isn't based on a lack of trust of Sheriff Estes, but more the reality of their abuse by 3rd parties. This is 2026, folks, and we are well beyond the point of accepting as a justification for government surveillance, "Well, if you aren't doing anything wrong you don't have anything to worry about." Update: On August 28, 2026 Governor Abbott put a freeze on all state funds dedicated to Flock Cameras. This doesn't apply to county funds, but it does show the issue has some legs.
Duke's Mercantile and Coffee, downtown Mertzon. Excellent drip coffee! Owned and managed by former IC ISD board member, Ashley Hill.
On May 24, 2022 I was attending a Texas Senate Education Committee hearing to provide testimony on an interim charge about public school bond reform. I did read my testimony - but to a virtually empty dais. The Senators, all but a handful, had left the room to deal with the Uvalde school shooting. Needless to say, that interim charge was dropped, and it its place was school safety. I have moderated my views on school bond funding largely because I have seen how the discipline (and good luck!) IC ISD has had minimizes the fiscal risk. That said, reform is still necessary because the jug keepers (seem my Commentary at C) are getting quite wealthy.
Copyright 2026 G. Noelke
