City of Tyler lowers property tax rate in proposed - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Tyler property owners may soon have something to smile about - a lower tax rate.

The city of Tyler unveiled its proposed 2012-2013 budget Wednesday morning and announced that it is planning to decrease the city's property tax rate.

The city is proposing to decrease the property tax rate by $.0012, to 20.77 cents per $100 valuation down from 20.89 cents last year.

The property tax rate has decreased more than 60 percent since 1994, down from 53.36 cents to the proposed 20.77 cents.

The city said higher taxable values have allowed the city to slightly decrease next year's property tax rate.

The city expects to collect $14.22 million in property tax revenues next year.

City officials met with members of KLTV's news and management teams Tuesday afternoon to discuss the proposed budget.

Overall, the total proposed budget is $96 million dollars, a three percent increase from the 2011-12 proposed budget of $93.5 million.

The city is not planning for any fee adjustments in the general fund, which is primarily funded by sales and property tax revenue.

A two percent rate increase for water service and a seven percent rate increase for sewer service is proposed to pay for more than $6 million in plant and sewer collection improvements.

No increase in Solid Waste fees is proposed.

Since 2009, the city says it has saved $2.4 million by participating in a Lean Sigma program.

"Lean Sigma helps identify the waste and variation that occurs in everyday processes," said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. "the program provides a structured approach for improving efficiency - which saves both time and money."

The city plans to employee 757 full-time employees next year, down from 824 employees in 2009.

In next year's budget, sworn personnel will receive a 3 percent pay adjustment and civilian employees will be eligible for a 0 to 3 percent pay raise based on productivity.

City employees may also be required to contribute more to their health insurance and dental premiums. The city is also proposing to cap its contribution for over-65 Medicare-eligible retirees who elect to retain their supplemental health and drug card benefits.

The public will have the opportunity to give input on the budget by attending one of two meetings at Tyler City Hall, on August 22 or September 12 at 9 a.m.

The final budget for the 2012-13 budget year will be adopted on September 12.

You can review the city's proposed budget and the presentation given at Tuesday's city council meeting.

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