Taxes may go down next fiscal year in Cedar Park and Leander, yet increased property values might not make it seem that way.

Leander intends on dropping its tax rate 0.25 cents for an effective tax rate of $0.66792 per $100 of property valuation, while Cedar Park will potentially decrease its tax rate by one-tenth of 1 cent from $0.493501. Additionally, Williamson County has proposed decreasing its tax rate seven-tenths of a penny to $0.481839 cents per $100 valuation.

But because of increased property value assessments, residents in each city are likely to pay more overall in property taxes next fiscal year. For example, existing homes in Cedar Park increased in value by 3.45 percent since the last budget was passed, resulting in a higher payment per month in the upcoming fiscal year on property taxes despite the slight decrease in the overall rate.

"It's kind of that two-edge sword," Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell said during an Aug. 9 budget presentation. "On one hand you want those property values to increase, but, of course, when that goes up, it becomes a multiplier against your tax rate."

Two public hearings are required before each city can adopt its fiscal year 2014 budget. The fiscal year for Leander, Cedar Park and Williamson County begins Oct. 1.

CEDAR PARK

Aug. 22: First public hearing

Sept. 5: Second public hearing

Sept. 12: Budget adoption

LEANDER

Aug. 15: First public hearing

Aug. 29: Second public hearing

Sept. 5: Budget public hearing/adoption

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Aug. 19 and 20: Budget workshops

Aug. 27: Public hearing/adoption

Story updated 8/12/13 11:37 a.m.