Posted at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2003
Council OKs tax, fee hikes
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The council also, on a 6-2 vote, increased the fee for the city's pet- sterilization program.
The council unanimously increased property tax rates for everyone except apartment and condominium owners. The council also increased the prices for adult bus fares for a single ride by 25 cents to $1.75 and monthly passes by $3 to $30.
Passage of the increased fees and taxes paves the way for the City Council to pass the $1.169 billion operating budget up for approval this afternoon.
That budget removes unpopular proposals such as a trash-collection fee for a residential recycling program and counter fees at satellite city halls.
Under the bill passed this morning, single-family homeowners will face higher property tax bills starting in August. Their bills will be higher $10 for every $100,000 of property valuation, based on assessments sent out in December.
Commercial and conservation property owners face the largest increase $138 for every $100,000 of assessed value.
