AUSTIN, TX -- Austin City Council members are pouring over a new budget recommendation. As is, the average Austin resident would see a hike in their monthly bills. Residents will see a possible monthly increase of $22.00.
Under City Manager Marc Ott's new proposal, taxpayers would pay higher electric and water fees. Austin Energy customers could see their monthly rates increase $10.91. The last time Austin Energy customers saw a rate increase was 1994.
Austin water customers will see their monthly rate go up to $8.33.
The Central Library will see a reduction of hours from 68 hours to 58 hours per week.
The Austin Police Department cadet class scheduled for October will be moved to April 2012 a savings of $1.8 million.
The city would also eliminate several dozen open positions, though the plan calls for all city employees to get a two percent raise and three percent for police, fire, and EMS employees.
Ott's plan also calls for an increase in property taxes. Property taxes would go up $2.97 a month for the average home owner. There will be no increase in trash fees.
Some homeowners do not think this is the right time to increase property taxes.
“I’m on a base salary and property taxes just go up every year,” said Lonnie Sneed. “It’s like four hundred dollars a year.”
“I know a lot of people who have lived here in East Austin all there life and have trouble keeping up with the taxes this is going to hurt them,” said Brian Ascott.
If you would like to weigh in, public hearings are scheduled for August. The city council will make the final decision in September.
Do you plan to attend Austin City Council’s public hearings on the budget proposal that would increase residents’ monthly bills? Join the conversation on Facebook on The KVUE Insider or call/text our soundoff hotline at 512-522-8025.
