Council sets higher tax rate

The Austin City Council approved a 2010-11 property tax rate Wednesday of 45.71 cents per $100 of assessed value, up from 42.09 cents this year.

Owners of a median-value home of $184,484 will pay $843 in city taxes next year, $52 more than this year.

Adopting the tax rate is the last step in the city's yearly budget process. The council already approved a 2010-11 budget this month that will take effect Friday. The budget will add 88 police officers, firefighters and paramedics but includes no money for the Trail of Lights, the annual holiday lighting display.

Source: Statesman.com