The Anderson Mill Limited District board of directors approved a tax rate increase Aug. 29 to fund repairs, maintenance and operations for the district's parks and pools.

The board approved a tax rate of 0.136686 per $100 valuation, up from 0.130000 per $100 valuation. The board's original recommendation was for the tax rate to be raised to 0.140000 per $100 valuation, but decided to set a lower rate to avoid holding rollback election.

District Manager Mark Maxwell said the increase in taxes to the average homeowner will be $12.87 more annually. He said the 2013 average home value increased about 2.6% during 2012. This is the first time AMLD has raised its tax rate since its formation in 2008.

Phillip Denney, president of the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association, said he supports the increased tax rate because maintaining parks and pools in the neighborhood keeps property values high and attracts more families to the area.

"The board has been very prudent," Denney said. "They are trying to make sure they spend taxpayers' money wisely, and the money that is in the reserve fund is taxpayer money as well—it is owned by the residents of Anderson Mill—and they are being prudent with it."

AMLD resident Elizabeth Elleson opposed the increased tax rate and said monies for repairs, maintenance and operations should come from the district's reserve fund, according to her statement submitted to the board.

Maxwell said the district has about $10 million in its reserve fund.

Denney said he had expected the reserve fund to earn at least 5 percent in interest, but currently the interest rates are at zero. He said the board likely would not have had to raise the tax rate if interest rates were higher.

Board President John Kiracofe said the increase will help pay for the needed renovation of AMLD's El Salido Pool and other various maintenance and operations. He said the estimated cost of the El Salido Pool project is $250,000.

AMLD was formed on Dec. 31, 2008 as part of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the city of Austin and the Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District to allow for a more smooth transition of the annexation of Anderson Mill into the city. Voters approved AMLD as a taxing authority in May 2009.