Despite lowering its property tax rate by more than 4.7 cents from last year, the city of Shenandoah anticipates no decrease in property tax revenue and approved more than $900,000 in capital projects with its 2013-14 budget.

The Shenandoah City Council approved the 2013-14 budget and a 2013 property tax rate of 26.64 cents per $100 valuation. Shenandoah Finance Director Jennifer Calvert said the city anticipates identical property tax revenue from the 2012-13 budget thanks to an increase in property value from $548 million to $610 million.

Calvert credited new homes in Parkgate Reserve and Tuscany Woods, the Sunningdale retirement community and new restaurants with the increase in value. She also credited the new retail development for a 7 percent increase in estimated sales tax revenue within the budget from what the city anticipates it will receive in the 2012-13 fiscal year.

The approved budget includes $545,000 in general fund capital projects and $384,000 for capital projects that are paid through water and sewer fees. Shenandoah City Administrator Greg Smith said he was pleased the city was able to lower property taxes while improving services, increasing staff salaries and not raising city fees.

"From what we can tell, we will be the lowest property tax rate [in Montgomery County] for a full-service municipality," Smith said. "We continue to provide services at a reduced cost."