The Woodlands Township is holding off, at least for one more month, formally adopting a financial model that states the community's tax rate could go up nearly 80 percent should it incorporate in 2014.

At its Jan. 25 meeting, the township board of directors voted to table a proposal by Partners for Strategic Action, the firm hired to lead the township's governance transition study, which stated that should The Woodlands incorporate in 2014, its tax rate would need to be increased from its current rate of 32.5 cents per $100 of property valuation to 58.14 cents. That increase represents a potential property tax rate hike of 78.9 percent.

In October, PSA presented their results of a study, which was subsequently adopted by the township, that showed that should The Woodlands incorporate, nearly 200 full-time employees would need to be hired in order for the same level of service be provided to residents of The Woodlands. Additionally, The Woodlands would need to build its own municipal facilities, such as a public works and court facility.

Township President Don Norrell told the board prior to its vote on Jan. 25 that there needed to be additional studies conducted by Economic Planning Systems, Inc., that could alter the tax rate proposal.

"We need EPS needs to do additional work on road construction and maintenance costs, and there may be some revisions [to the financial proposal]," Norrell said.

Those studies are expected to be completed prior to the board's Feb. 23 meeting, when the township will vote on the financial model. Norrell said the one-month delay will not affect the township's governance process in 2012.

The township is currently working with PSA and EPS to provide data and information to residents and businesses of The Woodlands about a possible change in governance to an incorporated city. Township residents will have the first opportunity to vote on possible incorporation in 2014.