Marble Falls moving ahead on budget with 3 percent merit increase for city employees
MARBLE FALLS — The city is moving ahead on a budget that gives employees 3 percent merit raises and calls for a slightly higher property tax rate.
Meanwhile, some residents could see a slight decrease in water bills.
The proposed budget calls for about $4,000 more in spending in the general fund over last year for $8.6 million during fiscal year 2012-2013.
“Our staff has worked with us to cut back on the budget,” finance director Margie Cardenas said during the Aug. 21 City Council meeting.
The budget includes 3 percent merit raises for staff, who have not seen a pay increase in three years, officials said.
To provide for the general fund and debt service, the city is proposing an overall tax rate of 64.83 cents per $100 valuation, which is four-tenths of a penny above the previous rate.
Along with the property tax, the city relies on sales taxes to support the general budget. During the past year, those have risen and fallen with the economy.
The council will vote on the budget and property tax rate 6 p.m. Sept. 4 during its regular meeting.
The council held a public hearing on the budget Aug. 21, but no one addressed the general fund.
Along with the general fund expenditures, the city will spend $3.2 million next year on debt payments.
In the meantime, some residents could see their water bills go down slightly if the city approves a change in the rate structure. Officials said 2,000 gallons of water is currently covered in the base rate.
But if the council adopts the recommended changes, the city will charge $3.25 per 1,000 gallons up to 5,000.
Some customers will experience a decrease of $3.58 to $3.30 in the 6,000-10,000 gallon range; $3.61 to $3.35 in the 11,000-20,000 gallon range; and $3.64 to $3.40 in the 21,000-30,000 gallon range. The rates will remain the same above those parameters.
The rates are set per 1,000 gallons.