Hutto property taxes are poised to increase for the 2016-17 fiscal year.[/caption]

Hutto taxes will go up, the police department will be upgraded, and road and park projects will be funded if the city's proposed FY 2016-17 budget is adopted.

On July 30, Hutto City Manager Karen Daly presented a draft budget to City Council which proposed a reduced property tax rate and increased water/wastewater rates. Even with a lower tax rate, property taxes would increase in Hutto next year under the proposed budget because of rising property values, Daly said. The average tax bill will rise about $70, according to budget documents.

Hutto Council Member Max Yeste said even though the proposed tax rate decrease is small—about $.00019 per $100 of assessed value—it could "provide a little bit of relief" for homeowners facing increasing property values.

Also proposed in the FY 2016-17 budget are approximately $104,000 for the downtown/tourism department, $2.8 million for Fritz Park improvements and $1.3 million for FM 1660 sidewalks.

On Aug. 13, Hutto will hold its first public hearing on the tax rate and will hold the first reading of the budget and tax rate on Sept. 3.