Central Health tax rate goes up for 2012, but homeowners will pay less, agency says

Central Health, which oversees tax-funded health services in Travis County for low-income uninsured residents, is raising its tax rate from 7.89 cents per $100 property valuation to 7.8946, but homeowners could wind up paying less than in 2011.

Because of a projected reduction in value of the average single-family home in Travis County, at the new tax rate Central Health expects a $3 annual decrease for the average homeowner, bringing the yearly payment down to $169.

Central Health staff recommended the effective rate, or what is needed to maintain the organization's current services, plus about $3 million in service expansion funds, spokeswoman Christie Garbe said.

The Central Health board of managers approved the new tax rate as well as a $117 million budget for fiscal year 2013 on Aug. 1.

The managers are also considering calling a tax ratification election for November. Voters would be asked to approve an increase to the tax rate above the rollback rate for the 2013 tax year. The rollback rate is the rate above 8 percent of the current effective tax rate.

Central Health must alert the Travis County Clerks Office by Aug. 15 if it decides to call an election in November.