Final approval of the proposed ad valorem tax rate tops the Big Spring City Council's agenda Tuesday, as the city prepares to move forward with a tally just north of $1 per $100 valuation.

According to City Finance Director Peggy Walker, the proposed rate — $1.0132 per $100 valuation — will allow the city to finish out the 2009 fiscal year with $901 left over in its budget.

“The average residential home is valued at slightly more than $40,000,” Walker recently told the council. “That would be a decrease to the taxpayer of $3.43. One a home valued at $100,000, it would mean a decrease of $8.57.”

The ad valorem tax rate for 2007-2008 was $1.0227 per $100 valuation, according to city officials.

According to previous reports from Walker, the tax rate consists of 68.54 cents for the general fund; 8.07 cents to fund the Big Spring Police Department's Narcotics Task Force; 2.42 cents to refund obligation bonds from 2002; 22.53 cents for general obligation bonds for the Roy Anderson Sports Complex and streets project; and .69 cents for certificates of obligation for the rehabilitation of the Northside Water facility and the new annex for the municipal animal shelter.

First reading of the tax rate was approved by a unanimous vote. The council gave its final approval to the city's 2008-2009 budget during its Sept. 9 meeting, also by a unanimous ballot.

The council is also expected to give final approval to hikes in the water and sewer rates — $2 for the base rate and an 18.5 cent increase per 1,000 gallons used — part of the budget it approved just a few weeks ago.

According to city officials, the rate increase is necessary to balance out a $500,000 increase caused by the $215,000 rate hike being passed along by the Colorado River Municipal Water District and the $252,800 jump in the cost of chemicals.

Also during the meeting, the council is expected to discuss a number of openings on municipal boards, including the Airpark Development Board, Animal Control Committee, Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Citizen's Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Traffic Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustments and Big Spring Historic Preservation Commission

The meeting is expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers, located at 307 E. Fourth Street.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it