The Amarillo College Board of Regents voted 5-2 to advance a proposed property tax rate to a public hearing during its regular meeting on Aug. 25, setting the stage for public comment and a potential vote later this month.
Key figures and why the rate would rise
The draft levy under consideration would set the college's property tax rate at $0.24670 per $100 of assessed value — a 13.59% increase from the 2025 rate, an increase of $0.04 per $100. Regents Peggy Thomas and Irene Hughes voted against advancing the proposal.
Officials said the proposed increase comes amid a complicated mix of changes in values and exemptions within the college's taxing district. While total property value in the district rose by $50 million, statutory caps on taxable values for homeowners who are over 65 or have disabilities — often called tax ceilings — increased substantially. That shift reduced the district’s taxable value by $149 million, producing a net loss in revenue despite the higher rate.
“We’ve already lost a million dollars in revenue with the budget that I brought to you that incorporates and includes this increase,”
The remark was attributed to Amarillo College President Jamelle Conner.
Budget context and fiscal priorities
The college’s proposed 2026-27 budget already anticipates reduced state funding, according to officials. The budget aims to maintain current services while increasing the college’s fund balance by $5 million. College leaders say the proposed tax rate is part of the plan to stabilize finances and protect programs and operations in the face of declining state support and the loss of local taxable value.
Despite the higher rate, the impact on overall revenue is negative: officials estimate the college would collect $1 million less than previously projected, leaving an expected total of $35 million in property-tax revenue for the coming budget year.
What residents should know and next steps
- The public hearing on the proposed rate is scheduled for the Amarillo College Board of Regents meeting on Aug. 25.
- Under state law, the board must hold a hearing before adopting or raising a tax rate; the public will have an opportunity to speak then.
- Homeowners who qualify for property tax ceilings — typically those over 65 or with disabilities — have seen the caps increase, which reduced taxable value in the district.
The board’s 5-2 vote to advance the proposal does not adopt the rate; it moves the proposition forward to the required public process. Regents who opposed advancing the rate did not have their reasons detailed in the meeting summary made available to the press.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Proposed tax rate | $0.24670 per $100 |
| Year-over-year rate change | +$0.04 (13.59%) |
| Change in total property value | +$50 million |
| Net decrease in taxable value | -$149 million |
| Estimated revenue loss | $1 million |
| Projected property-tax revenue | $35 million |
Amarillo residents who pay college property taxes, community members concerned about higher levies or supporters of maintaining college services are likely to follow the Aug. 25 hearing closely. The meeting offers the formal avenue for taxpayers to raise questions about the budget assumptions, the reasons for the net revenue decline and alternatives the board might consider before adopting a final rate.
Materials related to the budget and the proposed tax rate are typically posted on the college’s official website ahead of meetings. Community members seeking additional detail may consult those documents or contact the college's administration office for copies and clarifications prior to the hearing.
The Amarillo College Board of Regents is expected to take a final vote on the tax rate after the public hearing, as required under state procedures governing local taxing entities.
