Here’s what you need to know about the annexation of Lockhart into the ACC District and what it means for residents who live within the territory of Lockhart Independent School District (ISD).
Benefits of Joining the District
The Austin Community College District is a taxing entity. Residents of political subdivisions within the taxing district pay property taxes to fund ACC’s programs, services, and building infrastructure.
Following a November 2024 annexation vote, residents within the Lockhart ISD territory became eligible for in-district tuition (see tuition information below).
Benefits for in-district residents
- Community members residing within an ACC taxing district receive lower in-district tuition/fees of $85 per credit hour, while out-of-district residents pay $286 per credit hour. This means the cost of a two-year college degree is $5,100 for in-district residents, compared to $17,160 for out-of-district residents (based on a 60-credit-hour associate degree).
- Access to ACC student support services, including advising, admissions and records, academic counseling, career counseling, financial aid, and student life.
- Customized training to help local businesses and organizations with employee training and expansion.
- Academic degrees for university transfer or Continuing Education workforce-certificate credentials in high-demand career fields such as welding, construction, HVAC, information technology, health care, and dozens of other fields.
- ACC support programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL), GED®, and Adult Basic Education offerings to prepare people for college credit or workforce programs.
- Credit or noncredit entry-level and reentry job-training programs that can be completed in one year or less.
In-district residents can:
- Vote in elections for the ACC governing Board of Trustees.
- Run for a position on the ACC governing Board of Trustees.
ACC Campus Plan for Lockhart
ACC’s proposed service plan for Lockhart ISD includes three phases of future campus development.
ACC will provide services on Lockhart ISD property in the evenings and on weekends. These programs will include career and workforce development programs that are designed to help Lockhart residents upskill for in-demand jobs in the Central Texas region.
ACC will also work with Lockhart ISD to support its development of an Early College High School (ECHS). ECHS and dual credit programs give high school students the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree or workforce certificate along with their high school diploma.
ACC will work with community stakeholders to develop a 15,000- to 20,000-square-foot property located close to Lockhart High School as its first facility in the community.
ACC will purchase land to build a permanent facility that meets the needs of the local community based on input from local, economic, and educational leaders in the area.
ACC District Taxes and Exemptions
Under state law, the maximum property tax rate the board may adopt is $0.59 per $100 assessed property valuation.
ACC’s current tax rate combines the maintenance and operation tax rate of $0.0854 plus its bond debt service of $0.0132, for a total of $.0986 per $100 assessed property valuation. Additionally, the ACC Board of Trustees may not impose a maintenance and operations tax rate of more than $0.09 per $100 assessed property valuation without voter approval at a subsequent election.
Homestead, Seniors, and Disabled Residents Exemptions
Residents get a Homestead Exemption up to $5,000. Seniors and disabled residents receive an additional Homestead Exemption of $75,000, for a total of $80,000.
Tax Freeze for Seniors and Disabled residents
In addition to the $80,000 senior and disabled Homestead Exemption, seniors age 65+ and disabled residents would have their ACC tax levy frozen at the amount they pay the year they qualify for the exemption.
Tuition Rates and ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program
ACC’s tuition rates have remained stable for the past 11 years. In-district residents pay $85 per credit hour. Out-of-district residents pay an additional $201 out-of-district fee, for a total of $286 per credit hour.
Residents within the Lockhart ISD territory became eligible for in-district tuition rates starting in January 2025.
Additionally, ACC’s Board of Trustees approved a five-year free tuition pilot program effective fall 2024. The program provides FREE tuition to high school and home-school graduates, as well as TX GED® completers who live in the College’s service area and graduate during the pilot program timeframe. Eligible students living within the Lockhart ISD territory receive the free tuition benefits AND they do not have to pay the out-of-district fee.
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