Dimmit County Voters Decide Tuesday Whether To Join Southwest Texas College District
Dimmit County voters will decide Tuesday whether to join the Southwest Texas College district. The college says a yes vote would bring a technical campus to Carrizo Springs and lower tuition, paid for with a tax of 12 cents per $100 of property value.
CARRIZO SPRINGS, Texas – Dimmit County voters will decide Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether the county should become part of the Southwest Texas College district, according to the official notice of special election.
The proposition asks voters to approve annexation of all territory within Dimmit County, including incorporated and unincorporated areas, into the college district. If voters approve it, property in the county would be taxed by the college district, which currently levies $0.12 per $100 of taxable value, according to the election notice and the college’s service plan.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The college question appears on the same ballot as the Nov. 3 general election, according to the Dimmit County Elections Department.
What the college says annexation would bring
Southwest Texas College published a service plan for Dimmit County in May, as required by state law before annexation. According to the plan, joining the district would:
- Build a Carrizo Springs Technical Campus. Early plans call for about 15,000 to 20,000 square feet of classroom, office and lab space, with an estimated cost of $4 million to $7 million.
- Add hands-on training labs. The plan lists a welding lab, a flexible lab for programs such as HVAC and construction science, a cosmetology lab with a student salon, and training space for CDL truck driving and powerline technology.
- Lower tuition for county residents. Dimmit County students would pay the in-district rate, about $110.25 per credit hour, instead of the out-of-district rate of about $180.25. The college estimates savings of about $1,020 per 12-credit semester.
- Create local jobs. The college says it would hire 10 to 15 full-time employees, plus part-time and work-study staff.
- Expand programs with Carrizo Springs CISD. The plan calls for more dual credit and career and technical education pathways for high school students.
- Give the county a voice. The plan lists free tuition for high school graduates and representation on the college’s Board of Trustees among the benefits.
What it would cost
The college estimates the average homeowner would pay about $100 a year, or less than $9 a month, according to the service plan. State law allows the college to adopt a maximum rate of $1.00 per $100 of value, but the plan says no additional tax increase is proposed in connection with the annexation.
Where to vote in Dimmit County
On Election Day, voters must cast ballots in the precinct where they are registered, according to the notice. Polling places are:
- Precinct 1: Dimmit County Courthouse, 103 N. 5th St., Carrizo Springs
- Precinct 2: Dimmit County Public Library, 200 N. 9th St., Carrizo Springs
- Precinct 3: Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office, 1302 Grand Ave. and Highway 85 North, Big Wells
- Precincts 4 and 5: Asherton City Hall, 1001 W. Carter, Asherton
- Precinct 6: Dimmit County Fire Station, 1602 N. 1st St., Carrizo Springs
- Precinct 7: Dimmit County Courthouse South, 303 S. 5th St., Carrizo Springs
At least 1,502 Dimmit County voters, about 22.9% of those registered, cast early ballots, according to Texas Secretary of State figures posted Saturday. Carrizo Springs CISD also has an election on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to the county elections page.
Voters with questions can call the Dimmit County Clerk’s office at 830-876-2323.
Read our earlier coverage: Maverick County Early Vote Ends At 9705 As Texas Turnout Tops 7 Million
Sources: Notice of Special Election, Dimmit County | Order of Special Election | Southwest Texas College Dimmit County Service Plan | Dimmit County Elections Department | Texas Secretary of State early voting turnout
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