League City homeowners in Clear Creek ISD will pay less in property taxes for the 2026-27 school year. The board of trustees voted unanimously Monday, Sept. 28, to hold the district's tax rate at $0.969 per $100 of taxable value.
The rate, unchanged for three consecutive years, holds at $0.699 for maintenance and operations and $0.27 for debt service. Certified taxable values fell 2.4% compared to 2025, meaning the flat rate translates to a smaller tax bill for most homeowners, according to Community Impact.
League City families make up a large share of the district's tax base. Residential properties account for 54% of CCISD's (Clear Creek Independent School District) total taxable values. Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia told the board the district's 5% homestead exemption lowers bills further but costs CCISD roughly $10 million in state funding adjustments.
Board member Jay Cunningham responded after the vote. "It's an accomplishment, but it's unsustainable … I'll just say that," Cunningham said at the Sept. 28 meeting, as reported by Community Impact.
The district approved a $432 million budget in August that includes a $23 million shortfall. Enrollment has declined every year since peaking at 42,000 students in 2019.
Bond refinancing authorized
The board also unanimously approved an order authorizing unlimited tax refunding bonds. Benzaia and district financial advisor Terrell Palmer told trustees the move would let CCISD refinance outstanding bonds when market conditions allow savings.
The order requires a minimum present-value savings threshold of 3% and bars any extension of existing maturity dates, according to the district's board report.
In August, Benzaia warned that "the district's ability to pass bonds without increasing the tax rate is likely coming to an end," as reported by Community Impact. The refinancing authorization gives the district a tool to capture savings on existing debt without issuing new bonds.
$140,000 college-readiness platform
Trustee Jessica Cejka pulled the Xello contract from the consent agenda for discussion. Director of Counseling and Student Services Kristina Ford told the board the platform increases parent participation, offers career exploration tools and helps families navigate transcript requests.
The board then unanimously approved the $140,000 annual expenditure with Xello, Inc., running through Aug. 31, 2027.
The board adjourned at 9:51 p.m. after returning from closed session, where trustees unanimously approved a land option and lease agreement with 4M Towers and revisions to the district's team operating procedures for 2026-27.
