ATX-SWA: Impact 9/24/2025

The Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees adopted a FY 2025-26 tax rate of $1.1052 per $100 valuation. This is the same rate as FY 2024-25.

The gist: The total tax rate was adopted Sept. 22 and includes $0.7552 for maintenance and operations and $0.35 for interest and sinking. The average homeowner will see a decrease of approximately $360 in their total tax bill.

Maintenance and operations taxes fund daily operations such as teacher salaries, supplies and extracurriculars. These taxes are subject to recapture, which allows the state to remove local property tax revenue and reallocate the funds.

Interest and sinking taxes are used to pay for bond debt and are not subject to recapture. Voter-approved bonds pay for district improvements, including school renovations and building new schools.

The DSISD interest and sinking tax rate has been $0.35 since 2016.

• 13730 W. Hwy. 290, Austin

• 26650 RR 12, Dripping Springs
  

New rules for short-term rentals, or STRs, are moving into place as the city attempts to curb the spread of unlicensed rental operations and nuisances in neighborhoods, while raising more tourism dollars.

The details: Austin kicked off an "overhaul" to STR policies earlier this year, but had put several changes on hold while Texas lawmakers were in session this spring and summer. The city won't see any impacts from legislative activity this year, and is now moving forward with new policies to regulate how platforms like Airbnb can list rentals in Austin—and how the city can enforce local rules and remove problem operators.

Starting in October, renters in the city will also be allowed to participate in the STR market with their landlord's permission; more units in neighborhoods could serve as short-term rentals; and the number of STRs in apartment buildings will be limited. Other changes for operators and city enforcement are also planned.

Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election.

The overview: The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers earlier this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute.

“This is an opportunity to make your voice heard about the governing document of our state,” Secretary of State Jane Nelson said in a June 25 statement.

More details: Texans have until Oct. 6 to register to vote in the upcoming election. Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4.

The secretary of state’s office randomly selected the ballot order for the 17 state propositions. Keep reading to learn about the proposed constitutional amendments and how they would change Texas law.