City Council may raise tax rate

Pearland City Council members are weighing a property tax rate hike as they begin to finalize a budget for the coming year.

The city’s proposed spending plan would set the property tax rate at 0.7193 per $100 of property valuation, up from the current rate of 0.7121. For an average home value of $199,749, this would mean a $99 increase in the annual tax bill, according to the city. The tax increase would be higher if the home’s assessed value also went up.

Here are some highlights of the proposed budget:

• The city has allocated just more than $740,000 for a 2 percent cost-ofliving adjustment for city employees. This is part of a $5.4 million increase in “recurring” expenditures from last year’s budget that covers pay raises, increasing costs associated with benefits and new positions.

• More than $2 million is allocated for beefing up the fire department, including nine new full-time firefighters, three part-time firefighters, a new truck and a new ambulance, among other costs.

• Some $3.3 million is earmarked for “beautification.” This includes $1.1 million for work on Cullen Boulevard, Pearland Parkway, Dixie Farm Road and Kirby Drive. Another $1.9 million is proposed for infrastructure and design improvements on Texas 35.

• About $1.1 million is allocated for street maintenance, of which close to half will be used on subdivision streets.

• Almost $630,000 is allocated for new parks, particularly the Shadow Creek Ranch and Max Road sportsplexes.

Council held an Aug. 10 budget workshop on the tax rate and planned another on proposed increases in water and sewer rates on Aug. 24.

Two public hearings are scheduled for the end of August and beginning of September, with a final vote expected in September.

Visit the city’s website at http://pearlandtx.gov/ for more information.