Average tax bill rising $5.49 for health cost
Higher property values obscure real reduction in rate.
The Central Health board approved a proposed tax rate of 11.78 cents per $100 of taxable value Thursday evening, which would cost the average homeowner in Travis County $5.49, more than what they paid this year.
Tax bills to support health care services for needy county residents will rise from $303.71 this year to $309.20 for the average home valued at $262,520 in Travis County, Central Health staffff said. Using a median taxable value of $199,300 — the point at which half of the homes are valued below and half above — tax bills would rise by $6.26, to $234.74.
Although the new rate is lower than the current rate of 12.64 cents per $100 of assessed valued, it will bring in 4.5 percent more in revenue bec ause of increased valuations and new property added to the rolls. The board decided on the increase last month but was unable to set a proposed rate because of an Austin City Council protest concerning the potential undervaluing of commercial property.
In all, Central Health, Travis County’s public hospital district, received $151.7 million from property taxes this year.
In the new fisc al year, which starts Oct. 1, $160.7 million is expected.
That revenue supports a Central Health budget proposed at $295.8 million for the coming fisc al year. In addition, Central Health and the Seton Healthcare Family contribute to a nonprofifit the two formed, the Community Care Collaborative, which is responsible for health care delivery programs. The collaborative’s budget for the new year is estimated to be in the range of $155 million.
The fifirst public hearing on the budget and tax rate is set for Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at 1111 East Cesar Chavez St. The second public hearing will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the same location. The board will adopt the budget and tax rate on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. and ask the Travis County Commissioners Court, which has the fifinal say, to approve it on Sept. 29.