TYLER (KYTX) - The City of Tyler is one step closer to approving next year's budget. CBS 19's Amanda Roberson was at city council Wednesday morning when the community gave feedback on the budget.
The proposed budget is a no frills $102.4 million plan. It calls for a decrease in the property tax rate, a hike on water and wastewater services and a continued slowdown in hiring. The best news, it doesn't change much for taxpayers.
"It seems to be robbing Peter to pay Paul. It was described to me once as just being a wash," explained Richard Bryan. He's paid taxes on his Tyler home 25 years and said while he's glad tax rates didn't go up, he's not saving any money in the long run. "They're going to decrease property tax, however increase fees for other areas."
Property taxes have had a 61-percent decrease over the past 20 years and the proposed budget drops that rate another tenth of a cent to 20.77 cents per 100 dollar valuation. But water and wastewater prices will go up, meaning an average household could see a $2.43 increase on their water bill.
"I think it's a fair price," Bryan added. "I think that it's not utilized in a way, in a fair manner. I think the money goes where it shouldn't rather than, rather than back to the homeowner."
It took City Manager Mark McDaniel nine months to build the proposed budget. He called the proposal very conservative because it looks at plans three years out. "We're concerned about where we'll be not just today but three and five years from now and planning for that future."
McDaniel said erratic sales tax collections and flat-lined revenues make budgeting in a tough economy a bit more challenging, which is part of the reason the tax rate was only reduced to the effective amount.
"The effective rate is the rate you would have to have to bring in the same amount of revenue you had the prior year on existing value," McDaniel explained.
It's a plan to keep the city out of the red, and taking care of those that call Tyler home.
The proposed budget also highlights improvements at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, upgrades at Tyler Rose Garden Center, more covered shelters at Tyler Transit bus stops and more warning sirens around the city to alert people about bad weather.
Council members will spend the next two weeks deliberating plans in the budget and will vote at next meeting September 12th. The budget goes into effect October first.
No changes are planned for solid waste collection, and city employees are being asked to pick up more of their costs for health insurance.
To see the proposed budget click here.
