Somerton budget includes increase to property tax rate

SOMERTON — Residents will see an increase in the property tax rate they pay the city, under a new budget recently approved by the Somerton City Council.

The council voted 6-0 to adopt the $37.6 million budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that began July 1. Then, in a separate 5-1 vote, the council raised the primary property tax rate to $1.72 per $100 of assessed valuation, up from $1.69 in fiscal 2017-18.

The total budget amount represents a reduction of more than $6 million from last year, Mayor Jose Yepez said, because the city no longer has the expense of public projects concluded the prior year.

Among them were several street reconstruction projects, the opening of Centennial Park and the construction of a walking track along Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Still, city officials said the increase in the property tax rate was necessary to help cover the cost of general services provided by the city through the general fund, such as police and fire protection as well as City Hall operations.

The tax rate hike increases how much the owner of a $100,000 house pays to the city from $168.85 a year to $172.23.

That amount does not include property taxes owed other taxing authorities, such as the county, school districts and improvement districts.

The vote against the rate hike was cast by Councilman Miguel Villalpando, who said he opposed it because he didn’t think the city should add to rising expenses the public already faces.

“The truth is residents are seeing increases everywhere. The cost of living is going up, and I don’t think it’s right for the city adding more on them when it is also looking at the possibility of increasing water and sewer.”

Villalpando was referring to a recent recommendation from a consultant that the city raise the rates it charges for water and sewer service. The council has yet to act on the recommendation.

Yepez said the property tax increase is needed to maintain city services at their current levels.

Councilman Jesus Roldan was absent and did not take part in the votes on the budget and tax increase.