Vote no on high and unnecessary ACC Taxes
Annexing Pflugerville into the Austin Community College district is a $23 million tax increase for just $3 million back. Higher property taxes, higher rents, little in return.
$23 Million to get $3 Million
About $23 million leaves Pflugerville every year to fund roughly $3 million in real fee relief for current students. More than seven dollars out for every dollar back. See The Numbers for the full breakdown and sources.
Same result, about a seventh of the cost, with an off switch.
Everything annexation gives our students, we can buy directly for roughly a seventh of the price, reviewed every year instead of forever. Texas law already lets the city, the county, an employer, or a nonprofit cover the fee so Pflugerville students pay the in-district rate. ACC receives the same money per student either way.
| Annexation | A direct agreement | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per year | $23 million | about $3 million |
| Who pays | Every property owner and renter | The city budget, or donors |
| Paid to | ACC | ACC |
| What the student pays | $85 per credit hour | $85 per credit hour |
| When it ends | Never | Any year we choose |
| Requires a permanent tax | Yes | No |
What ACC won't tell you.
A forever tax
Annexation has no sunset clause. Once Pflugerville is in ACC's taxing district, the tax does not go away. Ever. There's no renewal vote and no expiration.
The rate isn't fully capped
ACC's maintenance and operations rate is at the ceiling its voters set, 9 cents per $100. But the debt service rate is separate and can rise with voter-approved bonds, and either way your bill climbs every year as your home's appraised value grows.
Even if you never attend
You pay whether or not you, your kids, or anyone in your household ever takes an ACC class. 100% of property owners pay, and renters pay too, while only about 1% of residents attend ACC.
Not just homeowners
This isn't only a homeowner tax. Research on property tax shocks finds landlords pass 50 to 89 cents of every dollar through to renters, and fully into rents within about three years. Rentals get no homestead or senior exemption, so they're taxed on full value.
The cost dwarfs the benefit
About $23 million leaves Pflugerville every year to fund roughly $3 million in real fee relief for current students. More than seven dollars out for every dollar back.
Voters already said no
Pflugerville rejected ACC annexation in 2018 for these same reasons. The district's taxable value has risen more than 80% since, so the tax today is even larger.
A new line on your tax bill, for good.
The ACC tax stacks on top of what you already pay, on a community already facing high water rates and rising costs. Here's roughly what it adds for a typical Pflugerville home, before it grows with future appraisals.
There's a fairer path. A direct agreement can cover the same fee for Pflugerville students for about $3 million a year instead of $23 million, funded through the city budget or donors, with no permanent tax on every property owner and renter. See how it works.
Be informed. Tell your neighbors. Vote NO.
An informed community is the best defense against a forever tax. Add your name, request a yard sign, and help your neighbors understand the real cost before they vote.