Date: October 4, 2018 Contact: Karen Kim
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Office: (972) 335-9522 | Cell: (972) 900-9651
kkim@friscochamber.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frisco Chamber of Commerce Announces Support of Frisco ISD TRE and Bond Proposal and Collin County Transportation Bond
Frisco, TX (Thursday, October 4, 2018) The Frisco Chamber of Commerce has taken a position of support in regards to three items on the November 6, 2018 ballot. The first two items are the Frisco ISD TRE (Tax Ratification Election) and Bond Proposal. These items will appear on the ballot as two separate propositions - A & B. The first, Proposition A, will increase the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) portion of the tax rate by $0.13 to help provide smaller classrooms, more student programming such as the International Baccalaureate program, STEM, and CTE center classes, increased competitive teacher salaries, and staffing for new campuses. To offset this increase to the taxpayer, the FISD Board of Trustees will also decrease the debt service portion of the tax rate (I&S) by $0.15 for a net result of a $0.02 decrease on the tax rate. This is possible because Frisco ISD has been able to slow down in building schools and pay off debt. The second, Proposition B, is a $691 million bond for capital projects including a new high school, two middle schools, and land for future schools as our student population in Frisco continues to grow around 2,000 students each year. It will also include bringing some of our older, aging campuses up to date so that they are more energy efficient and comparable to our newer schools. The bond additionally includes the possibility of an expansion to our CTE career center and a fine arts auditorium that will hold larger audiences for all of our schools to enjoy concerts, theatrical performances, and competitions. “Frisco ISD is a highly sought after school district and the reason the majority of residents chose to relocate to Frisco and Frisco ISD,” said Tony Felker, President and CEO of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. “Frisco ISD is known for its academic excellence, innovative programming, and plays a valuable role in developing the future workforce. It is important to allow our school district to continue to grow and provide superior education and opportunities by supporting both Propositions A and B, which will result in a lower tax rate and completion of needed capital improvements.” The Frisco Chamber of Commerce has also taken a position of support on a $750 million transportation bond that will appear on ballots in Collin County. The $750 million will help fund portions of both Limited Access Roads (LARS) such as Highway 380 and the outer loop that will create another freeway system, five miles north of Highway 380 and to the eastern portion of the county. The bond will also provide monies for improving and widening arterial roads (major roads that move in between cities). “Transportation infrastructure is already behind in the North Texas region and it is time to get people moving,” shared Shona Huffman, Director of Governmental Affairs at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. “Our business community depends on people being able to move about the region and transport goods efficiently. It is also important to note that this bond proposition does not raise the tax rate for Collin County residents.” The Frisco Chamber of Commerce urges voters to vote yes on both Frisco ISD propositions and if, in Collin County, on the Collin County Transportation Bond.
