The Amarillo City Council will meet Tuesday to consider final approval of a $613.3 million city budget that would bring higher property-tax revenue, utility rates and landfill fees while significantly increasing spending on infrastructure.

The special meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. at City Hall.

The proposed budget totals about $613.3 million, roughly $56.3 million more than the current budget, an increase of about 10.3%. It includes approximately $379.6 million for operations and maintenance, $166.6 million for capital projects and $67.1 million for debt service.

Property tax rate stays the same, but revenue increases

The proposed property tax rate is 43.07 cents per $100 of taxable value, unchanged from the city's current overall rate.

Keeping the overall rate unchanged, however, does not mean every homeowner will see the same tax bill. Changes in taxable property values can cause individual bills to rise or fall.

The budget is expected to generate about $2.06 million more in property-tax revenue than the current budget, an increase of 2.58%. Approximately $1.3 million of that additional revenue would come from new property added to the tax rolls.

Of the proposed 43.07-cent rate, 33.714 cents would go toward city operations and maintenance, while 9.356 cents would go toward debt service.

That represents a shift within the overall tax rate. The current rate includes 33.114 cents for maintenance and operations and 9.956 cents for debt service.

Water and sewer rates would climb 8%

Property taxes are not the only place residents could see higher costs.

The budget includes an 8% increase in water and sewer rates, with the additional revenue intended to help pay for capital improvements.

The city estimates that a residential customer using 10,000 gallons would have a combined monthly water and sewer bill of approximately $92.73 under the proposed rates.

Residential drainage fees would also increase by 3%, taking a typical monthly charge from $4.94 to $5.09.

The proposal calls for an even larger increase in solid-waste tipping fees, which would rise 29.76%. The city says the additional revenue would help cover equipment, staffing, engineering and other landfill-related needs.

Capital spending jumps 53%

One of the biggest changes in the proposed budget is the amount Amarillo plans to spend on capital projects.

Capital spending would increase 53% to approximately $166.6 million.

Water and sewer projects account for the largest share at $74.9 million. Another $42.5 million is planned for street projects, while drainage improvements would receive $10.3 million.

The city also plans $5.7 million in airport projects and $3.1 million in solid-waste improvements.

City employees would receive raises

The budget also includes pay increases for city employees.

Police officers and firefighters would receive 4% raises, and the budget includes adjustments to certification pay for both departments. Civilian city employees would receive a 3% cost-of-living increase and could receive an additional 1% merit increase.

Tuesday's meeting includes the second and final readings of the city's proposed budget and property-tax rate ordinances.

Because the proposed budget would generate more property-tax revenue than the previous year's budget, the council must also take a separate vote to ratify the property-tax revenue increase reflected in the budget.

Council members are also scheduled to give final consideration to operating budgets for the South Gateway Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and the Amarillo-Potter Events Venue District.

If approved, the $613.3 million spending plan would set Amarillo's financial course for the coming budget year, with substantially more money going toward infrastructure while residents and businesses face higher costs for several city services.