Cedar Park building permits continue to increase year over year and exceed expectations, the City Council learned April 25.

The city issued 161 single-family residential building permits in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, up five from the same time last year and 21 more than it collected in the first quarter. Commercial building permits also increased slightly to 30, up one from the same January-March time frame last year and 12 more than the previous quarter.

Building Inspector Mark Lewis told council there were few surprises for this report, calling the second quarter results typical to slightly better than average.

"It was a solid, no-surprise report," Lewis said. "It leaves us in a little better position than we hoped to be in, and the third quarter looks to tell a similar tale."

The 191 combined permits helped the city collect $447,919 in revenue during the second quarter. Halfway through the fiscal year, the city has collected 58 percent of the $1,119,596 in anticipated permit revenue this year, Lewis said.

Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell called the report a "great barometer" of city activity. Across Cedar Park, there are 44 new projects, including 19 under review and 25 under construction. There are also 30 remodel jobs—21 of which are under construction.