AISD bonds would pay for short-term fixes

by ANDY PIERROTTI / KVUE News and photojournalist ERIN COKER

kvue.com

Posted on April 19, 2013 at 12:11 AM

Updated yesterday at 12:21 AM

AUSTIN -- As Jon Baney's home ages, he knows he'll pay for needed repairs.Some neededmaintenance includes fixing old doors, windows and replacing hissiding.

"We've been doing it over the years as we've had the money for it," Baney said.

While Baney says he'd never take out a second mortgage to pay for the minormaintenance, some say that's basically what Austin ISD wants to do to fund similar expenses.

Next month, Austin voters will decide whether to fund $890 million in bonds to pay for long-term capital projects at Austin ISD, like new schools.

Over the next few years, property taxes would increase to pay for it. The owner of a $200,000 home could pay about $70 more a year if passed.

According to Austin ISD financial records,the bond money would also pay short-term fixes.The KVUE Defenders found bonds payingfor items like removing "tree limbs and debris" from roofs; "replacing grass in play areas," and fixing a toilet -- funded with bonds that will take decades to pay off.

Original post:
AISD bonds would pay for short-term fixes