Many city, county, and school district officials are in the early stages of deciding where to set their tax rates for the next fiscal year. In some cases, these local decisions will push property taxes higher, creating new challenges for family budgets and forcing tough personal choices.  

Given the very real prospect of tax hikes on the horizon, now is the time for Texans to learn what their local governments are up to and get involved in the decision-making process—while there’s still time to advocate for taxpayer-friendly alternatives.  

To better illustrate what may be around the bend, let’s consider Lovejoy ISD (LISD).  

According to LISD’s Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate, school district trustees are weighing whether to set the tax rate at $1.255200 per $100 of value, which is the same rate adopted last year. With property values on the rise, the act of keeping tax rates at the same level would result in higher taxes.  

If trustees adopt the proposed rate, then the typical homeowner’s tax bill will rise from $10,685.08 per residence to $11,309.34 per residence. That is a one-year tax hike of $624.26.  

Of course, there is no requirement that LISD trustees adopt the proposed tax rate. In fact, officials have the discretion to choose a better, friendlier option in the form of the no-new-revenue (NNR) tax rate. The NNR rate is the tax rate that would effectively hold tax receipts constant and “giv[e] homeowners and businesses a chance to catch their breath.”  

For those interested in seeing LISD adopt the NNR tax rate, there is an upcoming public meeting where the school district will solicit public input and give taxpayers a forum to have their concerns voiced. Per its public notice, the details are as follows:  

  • “The Lovejoy Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 7:00 PM, June 15, 2026 in the Carrie L. Lovejoy Child Development Center Library, 256 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX 75002. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.”