The Paris Junior College Board of Regents has approved a proposed maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate of $0.069847 per $100 of taxable value for the 2026 tax year as it continues development of the College’s FY 2026–27 operating budget.
The proposed tax rate represents a 5.31% increase over the College’s current M&O tax rate of $0.066324 per $100 of taxable value, an increase of $0.003523 per $100. The proposed rate is 7.85% above the No-New-Revenue Rate, remaining below the 8% threshold that would require a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election in Lamar County.
The Board also reviewed the estimated impact on local homeowners. Based on current Lamar County Appraisal District estimates, the proposed rate would increase the average homeowner’s Paris Junior College tax by approximately $14.31 per year, or about $1.19 per month.
The Board’s decision reflects a careful balance between maintaining the College’s financial stability and recognizing the economic realities facing local taxpayers.
“Developing the College’s annual budget requires balancing many competing priorities,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, President of Paris Junior College. “Our Board worked diligently to identify a responsible path forward that continues to support our students and our mission while remaining mindful of the tax burden placed on our community.”
The budget workshop highlighted the financial challenges facing community colleges across Texas. Although Paris Junior College continues to experience strong enrollment growth and record student success, the College is projected to receive approximately $1.4 million less in state formula funding than anticipated under the Texas community college finance model.
Importantly, this reduction is not the result of declining enrollment or institutional performance. In fact, it is the opposite. Community colleges across Texas outperformed the enrollment and student success projections the Legislature used to fund House Bill 8. Because the funding model was based on forecasts that underestimated community college performance statewide, approximately $81 million in earned funding is unavailable during the current biennium. Paris Junior College is one of many institutions affected by this statewide funding shortfall.
Despite this challenge, the proposed budget continues to prioritize student success through investments in instructional programs, workforce education, employee compensation, student services, and campus operations. The preliminary budget projects approximately $39.9 million in revenues and $41.9 million in expenditures, resulting in an estimated $2 million budget gap that will be addressed before the budget is finalized.
Even with the proposed tax rate increase, the College is projected to face an approximately $2 million funding shortfall for FY 2026–27. During the workshop, the Board discussed several strategies for addressing the remaining gap, including the strategic use of proceeds from
anticipated land sales and a portion of the College’s fund balance. These options will continue to be evaluated as the administration prepares its final budget recommendation.
Even with this proposed adjustment, Paris Junior College continues to maintain one of the lowest property tax rates among Texas community colleges. The College’s proposed maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.069847 remains well below the statewide average M&O tax rate of approximately $0.14 per $100 of taxable value, reflecting the College’s longstanding commitment to operating efficiently while providing high-quality educational opportunities.
The proposed tax rate establishes the maximum rate the Board may consider adopting. As required by Texas law, the proposed rate will be published prior to a public hearing. Following the hearing, the Board may adopt the proposed rate or any lower rate, but it may not adopt a higher rate.
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents is expected to consider final adoption of the FY 2026–27 budget and tax rate following the required public hearing at its August 24, 2026, meeting.
About Paris Junior College
Founded in 1924, Paris Junior College serves students throughout Northeast Texas through campuses in Paris, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs. The College provides university transfer programs, workforce education, dual credit opportunities, adult education, and community enrichment programs while preparing students for successful careers and continued education.
