The good news for Smithville taxpayers coming from the city’s budget workshop this week is that, for the third year in a row, the tax rate will remain unchanged at 0.4785 percent. The city will see an increase in total tax revenues for the 2010-11 fiscal year from increases in the taxable value of property and new real estate added to the tax roles.

The average taxable value of a residence in Smithville last year was $98,589, which brought $472 in taxes. That average value increases to $101,532 this year, which translates to $486 in taxes, a $14 increase.

City manager Tex Middlebrook said there were cuts made on line items across the board but that there is no change to services that are being provided to citizens. Increases will be seen in the fee structures for permits, variances and tap fees. Garbage collection will increase 50 cents per month or $6 per year.

The parks and recreation board has proposed a new fee structure that will go before the council in September.

With a total budget of $3.1 million, there is an increase of 1.6 percent, or $50,500 in the overall budget.

“We are increasing salaries for law enforcement,” Middlebrook said. “Dispatchers, officers and the animal control officers will see a seven percent increase in their salaries.”

Costs to run the city animal control facility will increase due to an agreement with the Bastrop County Animal Control Shelter to receive and care for animals from the city of Smithville, a service that will cost $12,000 a year.

“The animals will not be housed here,” Middlebrook said. “They will be transferred each day to the Bastrop shelter.”

Middlebrook also said the city is looking at land for a new animal shelter and that there is a volunteer organization that is working to help make that happen.

The city will also spend $6,000 in a matching grant with the Texas Department of Transportation to resurface the runway at Smithville Municipal Airport.

“Water, waste water and electric rates are all unchanged,” Middlebrook said.

Middlebrook also mentioned a $70,000 credit from the LCRA on electric utility costs that would be directly passed on to city electric utility customers.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kahanek, who took the gavel for the workshop in the mayor’s absence, said that out of the total budget of $3.1 million, a projected $500,269 will come from taxes this year.

“It was very hard to make cuts for this budget,” Middlebrook said. “If you are going to provide the same service then that’s what it costs. You really can’t change that.”