Schertz’s new budget for fiscal year 2008 projects significant increases in property tax revenue as well expenditures for city departments and capital projects. City Council Tuesday approved a budget that would raise total property taxes by $813,330, or 13 percent, over fiscal year 2007.

Council also approved cutting the property tax rate from 43 cents per $100 valuation to 40.9 cents.

However, higher land appraisals mean the city expects to raise total tax revenues by 5 percent from the current fiscal year.

According to Guadalupe County, appraised land value in the city has risen from $1.7 billion to $2 billion. The average homeowner of a $154,286 appraised home would pay slightly more than $21 in taxes under the new tax rate.

The city projects taking in $16.5 million in total revenue, compared with $13.9 million last year. Income is projected to rise in the areas of taxes, franchises, permits and fees. The new budget projects $16.4 million in expenses, up from $13.8 million.

The city proposes to lower spending for the council and information technology, and raising funds for city management, municipal court, community relations, police, fire, inspections, parks, pools, streets, library and animal control. The community/civic center is getting its own line item at $266,239.

The budget lists completed capital projects: drainage improvements in Aviation Heights, Borgfeld and Elbel roads, Upper West Dietz Creek and Woodland Oaks. There is a list of ongoing projects such as a City Hall annex; an elevated water storage tank under the 2005 bond issuance; the new library and street and drainage upgrades under the 2006 bond program; and Town Creek drainage, public works machinery and equipment, and EMS vehicles and equipment under this year’s bond issuance.

The budget also has expenses for special events including the city employee Christmas party and the police Blue Santa program. Copies of the budget are available for public review at City Hall, library and online at www.schertz.com.