The Woodlands Township has formulated a proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year, one that lowers property taxes by nearly eight-tenths of a cent over last year's rate. The proposed rate is 31.73 cents per $100 of property valuation, a slight decrease over last year's approved rate of 32.5 cents. The rate will be approved before Sept. 1. One of the reasons for the potential cut in property taxes are increases in sales and hotel occupancy tax revenue.

The proposed budget projects an increase in sales tax revenue of $3.9 million to $37.5 million, as well as an increase in hotel occupancy tax revenue of $1 million to $6 million.

"The message is pretty simple," said Don Norrell, township general manager. "The Woodlands Township is in excellent financial condition."

If the rate is approved by the township board of trustees, 2013 will mark the third consecutive year of property tax rate decreases in The Woodlands.

He said the strong tax revenue numbers should continue for at least the next few years.

"We expect to have strong tax base growth over the next three to five year period with residential build out occurring near the end of that five-year period," Norrell said.

Total revenues for the consolidated budget, which combines all budget funds, is projected to be $93.6 million. Proposed expenditures are $101.7 million. Bond proceeds received from previous years will fund about $6.4 million of the capital budget. The $8.1 million difference between revenues and expenditures will be made up between bond proceeds and capital reserve funds.

As part of the proposed budget, all capital improvement projects are to be paid for through existing funds, rather than incur new debt, said Monique Sharp, finance director for the township.

The township board of directors met in a series of meetings in late July to discuss details of the proposed budget. Among the details the board considered were possible funding increases for a field expansion at the Oak Ridge Woodlands Area Little League fields, construction of running paths and bike lanes, curb replacements, and expansion of the Town Center trolley program.

Areas that may see cuts in funding include employee retirement benefits, the Town Center mounted patrol program, The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau and special events.