Hello, Morgan Creek Village residents,

I wanted to share an email that BCISD parents received yesterday from the superintendent. He provides information about two constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot this May and how they relate to property taxes and funding the local schools. I thought this may interest some of you.

Dear Parents,

Early Voting leading up to the May 7th Election Day began yesterday and will run through Tuesday, May 3rd. As a reminder, there is no Board of Trustee Election this year, nor are there any City of Burnet Elections this year. The City of Bertram is having an election for Mayor and Aldermen. No matter where you live though, what you will find on ballots across the State of Texas are two constitutional amendments. To see sample ballots, go to Burnet County Elections at https://burnetcountyelections.com/current-election/.

Proposition 1 would reduce the amount of taxes elderly and disabled homeowners pay to support public education. State lawmakers have said they will cover the estimated $744 million in lost revenue to school districts with their projected, approximate $25 billion budget surplus.

Proposition 2 would increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000 for all homeowners. State lawmakers have said they will cover the estimated $600 million in lost revenue to school districts with their projected, approximate $25 billion budget surplus.

If these constitutional amendments are approved, we have to hold lawmakers to their word that they will truly cover the cost of the lost revenue for schools permanently, and not just for the first two years.  
While these propositions will help reduce the tax burden slightly, state lawmakers are going to have to find a solution to the problem of paying for public education solely through property taxes that are based on appraised property value. The state should study other revenue sources, and commit to funding their fair share of public education. Currently, Burnet CISD is funded 100% through local taxes, (no state funding) and does not get to keep all of the local funding because of recapture (sending money to the state to be redistributed to other districts).

Like many of you, I just received my notice of appraised value for my home, and has been the trend, there is a significant increase in just one year’s time of the appraised value. Many people may think that Burnet CISD receives a significant increase in revenue when appraised property values increase significantly. The reality is, given the current funding system, Burnet CISD sees very little new revenue from property value increases. What does increase significantly is the amount we send back to the state as part of the recapture plan. 

Given our $36 million budget today, we are on track to pay $3-4 million in recapture this year. Projecting similar property value increases as last year, Burnet CISD expects to receive approximately $15,000 in new revenue, and yet our recapture payment is expected to increase to $7-8 million.

Burnet CISD has decreased its tax rate every year for the past 6 years, and has the second lowest tax rate among all surrounding districts. The overall tax rate has decreased from $1.33 in 2015 to $1.077 today, and is projected to decrease to $1.0596 next year. Even with these tax rate decreases, people are still paying more for property taxes, and the state would financially penalize Burnet CISD significantly if we tried to lower our maintenance and operation tax rate even lower, or if the Burnet Central Appraisal District appraised property too low in the opinion of the state.

There are lots of important issues to be addressed in the next Legislative Session that will begin in January 2023. I will continue to work to make sure you are informed of those issues. Please take time to vote in the May 7 Election and the May 24 Texas primary runoff elections. Those who represent Burnet County in the State House and Senate make a difference.
 
Sincerely,
Keith McBurnett, Superintendent of Schools 

People who live at the lake love the annual bird migrations. This time of year, many of our winter birds head north while the tropical birds head our way. With all these bird migrations happening, you may want to participate in Lights Out, Texas. Here’s more information. https://texanbynature.org/projects/lights-out-texas/

Join us in participating in Lights Out Texas to protect migrating birds by turning off non-essential lights at night from 11pm – 6 am during the spring migration period of March 1 – June 15. Where conflicts apply, prioritize lights out during the critical peak fall migration period from April 22 – May 12. Each night and each light turned out helps save migrating birds. As an added bonus, turning off non-essential lights also saves money and conserves energy for cities, local businesses, and homeowners!

More information about Templeton’s Tavern and Container City can be found here: https://www.containercitytx.com/

They will have RVs with several RV pads on the property and quiet hours do not start until 10:00 pm.

Burnet County Reuse and Recycle Center (AKA Transfer Station/Recycling Center)

2411 FM 963, Burnet, TX 78611

October 16, 2021 9:00am-1:00pm

See flyer for accepted items

burnet-county-flyer-for-10.16.21-1

Our annual membership meeting will be June 12th at 10am, at the boat ramp park. Due to Covid-19 precautions, no lunch will be served. If you cannot attend or feel uncomfortable attending, please consider using your proxy vote to designate another POA member to vote on your behalf. If mailed, I need to receive the proxy by June 11th. You can give the proxy to the POA member who will be attending on your behalf.

Annual lot fees and membership dues are due by June 30, 2020. You can (1) mail them to our PO Box 874, Burnet, TX, 78611, (2) bring them with you to the meeting, (3) place them in the POA mailbox located near Jim Lee’s home, or (4) bring them to my home (1305 CR 133).

I wanted to share some photos of the creek at the Y during the latest afternoon storm.

Hello, everyone,

Property Taxes. You may have recently received a tax increase notice from the Burnet County Appraisal District. Kevin Benz found a local real estate agent – Bruce Jones – who handles property tax protests on your behalf (https://hometaxshield.com/partners/jones-bruce). So if you want to protest your tax increase, but are uncertain about handling it yourself, this may be an option to investigate.

Internet. I know that internet in our area is very limited. My husband, John, has been investigating different options and the new Starlink system by Elon Musk should be available in our area in mid to late 2021. Its a satellite based system, so no line of sight to towers is required. And the speeds and latency issues of other satellite systems are supposed to not be an issue. You can learn more here: https://www.starlink.com/. Just wanted to get that on your radar in case it interests you.

Last update. We had a very small meeting of the Executive Board/Trustees/Committees this past Sunday. You should receive an update from us soon, along with our annual property dues notice. We decided to have an in-person membership meeting at the boat ramp, the 2nd Saturday of June at 10am. More info to follow in our annual president’s letter.

For local residents…

Early Voting for the May 2021 Bond Election begins next week, April 19th, at the Agrilife Building (607 N. Vanderveer, Burnet, TX 78611). The dates and times for Early Voting are listed at the link below. When voting, please make sure you cast a vote on each Proposition- A, B, C and D.

More information can be located here: http://bondissueinfo.com/burnetcisd/

Today I received an email from Burnet CISD regarding interest in expanding broadband internet in our community. I know that many residents have expressed interest, so I wanted to share this information with you.

To all the homeowners in Morgan Creek Village,

For safety and neighborhood aesthetics, please locate your political signs near your residence.  Our roads are narrow so staying on the pavement is difficult when passing and some residents walk at night.  Signs near the pavement are a hazard for both. A number of signs have disappeared at night causing animosity among some residents.  We need to be good neighbors with differing opinions.  Thank goodness we have that right!

Thanks,
Don Morris, President, MCVPOA

Dear MCVPOA Members,

Due to Covid19, we will NOT meet this Saturday as we normally would for our annual meeting. We plan to cancel the annual membership meeting this year due to safety concerns from Covid19. In lieu of our annual meeting, the Executive Board will meet to discuss POA business and the Executive Board will work with the Board of Trustees to approve our annual budget.  If you need to voice concerns to the Board, please direct them to our president, Don Morris, at jdonmo@gmail.com or 713-854-4222. We will mail additional information and the annual assessment invoices later this month. Thank you!

In May, the community will be voting on two Burnet CISD bond propositions. The previous bond proposition in the Fall did not pass because many voters thought it would raise taxes, which it does not. If you want to learn more about the bond, the school district created a website with more information: http://bondissueinfo.com/burnetcisd/

There is also a helpful information sheet that includes more about the different propositions, what they include, and the property tax implications: http://bondissueinfo.com/burnetcisd/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bond-2020-Fact-Sheet-2.pdf

Hello, MCV residents,

This Saturday is the October BOPATE recycling event to dispose of batteries, electronics, latex paints, motor oil, and tires. I’ve attached the flyer with more information.

Lindsey

October 2019 BOPATE Flyer

There is a new BCISD bond election happening November 5, 2019. You can find out more information at the website they created for the bond: http://bondissueinfo.com/burnetcisd/. It should not impact our tax rates.

Hunter and Hailey Barker who live in Morgan Creek Village would like to earn some money helping do chores around the neighborhood. If you need a pet sitter, plant sitter, yard waterer, or just some youngsters to weed gardens or do household chores, call Lisa Barker at 512-796-9857.

A friendly reminder that our annual member meeting is next Saturday, June 8th at 10:00am at the Boat Ramp park with lunch to follow. Please rsvp to lindseymohan@gmail.com for an accurate headcount for food. Thank you!

TWO IMPORTANT REMINDERS

1. This weekend- May 18 & 19- is the annual Spartan races at Reveille Peak Ranch. This even brings is thousands of participants and traffic on RR 2341 is unusually high. It can talk an hour or more to get from the neighborhood to Burnet given the traffice delays. Races begin at 7:30am and the last heat starts at 2:30pm on both days, but traffic will be bad all weekend.

Alternative route: From Morgan Creek Village, take CR 110 through the Fry’s ranch to CR 108 which will meet up Hwy 281 North of Burnet. This is a dirt road with 5 livestock gates to open and close, but its also a beautiful drive.

2. Our annual meeting is June 8th, 10:00 at the Boat Ramp Park with a lunch to follow. Please RSVP to me if you plan to attend so we can get an accurate head count for food. If you cannot attend please send your proxy to me via email or to the MCVPOA PO Box or  to whoever you designate to vote on your behalf. Email: lindseymohan@gmail.com.

Two of our community members recently reported suspicious activity at their homes on March 23rd around midnight (you may have seen the post by Miriam on NextDoor). The incidences happened on Morgan Creek Drive. One homeowner heard someone open and close their screen door and the homeowner next to them reported that someone rang their doorbell, but when they answered the door, no one was there. Both incidences are being reported to the sheriff’s office. If you notice any suspicious activity at your home, please report it as well and relay the information to a MCV board member so we can communicate with our community members.

Luke’s Asphalt Paving started the Debo and Crest resurfacing project yesterday and will complete the project around noon today. Once they complete the Debo and Crest roads, they will start the Boat Ramp Park resurfacing project. The resurfacing should be completed by Friday afternoon. In order for the surface to properly harden, the Park and Ramp will be closed today through Sunday.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Jim Lee, President MCVPOA