The city of Frisco continues to go through the fiscal year 2014–15 budget process, which as proposed would lower the property tax rate from $0.46191 to $0.46 per $100 of property value.

A public hearing on the budget was held Aug. 19 followed by a public hearing on the tax rate Aug. 27, and a joint public hearing for the budget and tax rate on Sept. 2.

"A combination of factors and measures enable us to maintain a low tax rate," City Manager George Purefoy said in an introductory letter to the council with the proposed budget. "The largest factor for Frisco continues to be our property tax values."

With the city's total taxable property a value of $18.046 billion and lower proposed tax rate, the city would still see an increase of $4.62 million in revenue from FY 2013–14.

The additional money is proposed to be used to hire 54 new employees.

The Frisco Fire Department would get 22 of the new employees, 19 of which would go to staff the new fire station, station No. 9.

Seventeen new positions would be added to the police department at a cost of $1.83 million.

Also included is a up to 3 percent merit raise for all employees, totalling about $1.85 million.

The Frisco Public Library has an additional $600,000 added to this year's budget, which is earmarked for new collections including e-books, print books and other materials.

The council is expected to adopt the budget and tax rate at its Sept. 16 regular council meeting.