Bonham ISD Board Goal #6 states that Bonham ISD will be excellent stewards of taxpayer funds in a transparent environment. In serving this function, we must respectfully object to the 2022 FCAD budget. 
Bonham ISD is responsible for a proportional share of the Fannin Central Appraisal District budget. This budget is proposed by the Chief Appraiser and approved by the FCAD Board of Directors. Each taxing entity served by FCAD is then required to pay a proportional share based off of the amount of taxes levied. The proposed FCAD 2022 budget will increase Bonham ISD's proportional share by over $300,000 since 2017.
After repeated large salary increases and a single year salary increase of as much as $20,000 for a single position at FCAD over the last 5 years, it is obvious that neither the financial burden nor the budget constraints to the taxing entities are considered when the FCAD budget is adopted. Although Bonham ISD's local tax collection has increased, thus increasing our proportional share, the state funding formula offsets those local dollars and the increase in share is a net loss to the district. As a result, Bonham ISD has had to allocate an additional $300,000 of taxpayer monies to cover these costs.
Because of this, Bonham ISD sent a letter to FCAD Board of Directors expressing our displeasure. After these objections, the FCAD board moved forward and adopted the proposed 2022 budget. See below the letter sent to FCAD board of Directors:
Dear Mr. Chairman,This past week, I received notification of a scheduled Fannin Central Appraisal District (FCAD) Board of Directors public hearing to consider the 2021-2022 appraisal district budget. In line with our rights as Bonham Independent School District Board of Trustees, the proposed budget was reviewed and discussed during our special called meeting on Monday, June 7, 2021. During the review, the board became concerned specifically about Attachment 1: Proposed Salary and Benefit for Each Proposed Position. This attachment proposes salary increases as much as 6.4%. After much discussion, the Bonham ISD Board of Trustees wish to express their displeasure of this ill-timed substantial increase to the salaries of FCAD employees.
Bonham ISD is a taxable entity for which FCAD appraises and collects taxes. As a result, Bonham ISD is responsible for a proportional share of the FCAD budget. Every dollar received and spent represents actual taxpayer funds. The trustees understand that this previous year and the challenges it brought have resulted in a rise in the cost of living. The burden of the cumulative effects of these challenges felt by almost all citizens is unprecedented in our lifetimes. In consideration of all stakeholders, including the local and county taxing entities, we believe this plan is ill-timed and insulting to all involved. Millions of Texans are struggling to make ends meet and it would be difficult to explain to those citizens that in spite of their struggles, the FCAD employees received a significant raise.
As a district, our comprehensive salary scale adopted this year included only a 2% of midpoint raise for our employees and no increase to the 2021-2022 teacher pay step scale. I imagine that all of the taxing entities for which FCAD appraises and collects are implementing minimal, if any, raises. While Bonham ISD desires living wages for all, this year is simply not the time for these large increases. This is especially true of an entity such as FCAD that already has a high minimum salary (when compared to local school districts) of $45,000. It should also be noted that the FCAD Salary Budget has increased over 60% since 2017.Considering the above mentioned, Bonham ISD respectfully asks that you reconsider this portion of your budget. We prefer the budget to be more in line with the taxing entities of which you represent.
Thank you,
Chance RobertsPresident, Board of TrusteesBonham Independent School District