Pflugerville Director of Finance Tracy Waldron proposed utility rate increases to help fund capital improvement projects at a City Council meeting Aug. 27.

The city's $857 million proposed budget was built based on the voter-approval tax rate of $0.5428 per $100 valuation.

What it means

In the proposed budget for water rates, the average household would pay a $45 base fee per month and an additional cost per thousand gallons based on usage. This is a $7.50 increase from the previous year.

For wastewater, the monthly base charge would be $55 per meter, and an addition $6.10 per thousand gallons. This represents a $4 base fee increase and $0.40 volume charge increase.

The new rates would go into effect Oct. 1.

Explained

Because of large capital improvement projects, the city is having to take on debt, according to Waldron. Raising the utility rates help offset that debt.

Looking forward

The next public hearing for the proposed tax rate is Sept. 24, when City Council is scheduled to adopt the final rate. It can adopt a rate equal to the voter-approval tax rate or lower.