Here’s what you need to know about the proposed annexation 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. If residents living within the Lockhart ISD territory approve annexation, they are eligible for the following:
In-district tuition. ACC’s in-district tuition rate is $85 per credit hour (out-of-district residents pay $286 per credit hour). This puts the cost of a two-year college degree at $5,100 for in-district residents as opposed to $17,160 for out-of-district residents.*
Other benefits include:
- Access to ACC student support services, including advising, admissions and records, academic counseling, career counseling, financial aid, and student life.
- Customized training to assist local businesses and organizations in their employee training and expansions.
- Academic degrees for university transfer or Continuing Education workforce-certificate credentials in high-demand career fields such as welding, construction, HVAC, IT, 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 entering college credit or workforce programs.
- Credit or noncredit entry-level, and reentry job-training programs at ACC that can be completed in one year or less.
Residents will also get a voice in ACC governance
Residents will also get a voice in ACC governance. They can:
- Vote in elections for the ACC governing Board of Trustees.
- Run for a position on the ACC governing Board of Trustees.
* Costs based on a 60-credit-hour associate’s degree.
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 are designed so that high school students can graduate with an associate degree or workforce certificate as well as a high school diploma.
ACC will work with community stakeholders to develop a 15,000-20,000 sq.ft. property located in close proximity 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 collaborative 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.
To learn more about ACC’s tax rate, please click here.
Tuition Rates and ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program
ACC’s college 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.
If Lockhart ISD voters approve annexation in November 2024, then residents will be eligible for in-district tuition rates starting in January of 2025.
Additionally, ACC’s Board of Trustees recently approved a five-year free tuition pilot program that went into effect in 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. Should the annexation measure pass, eligible students who live within the Lockhart ISD territory will continue to receive the free tuition benefits AND they will not have to pay the out-of-district fee.
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