On August 26, Alton will vote on the tax rates for the “No-New-Revenue Tax” and the “Voter Approval Tax.” City Manager Jeff Underwood proposes leaving the tax rate unchanged – as it has been for the past three years.

During a regular meeting Tuesday evening, the city commission discussed current and past tax rates to decide on measures for the week after next.

According to the de minimis rate listed in the meeting documents, the city can increase the rate to $0.04628, but Underwood proposes keeping it the same as last year.

“My suggestion, Mr. Mayor and Commissioner, is that we maintain last year’s tax rate,” Underwood said. “That’s about the second lowest rate in Hidalgo County.”

According to a 2024 tax benchmark document, the no-new-revenue (NNR) tax rate remained at $0.4197 per $100, with the total tax levy for 2024 amounting to $3,593,227.

The Voter Approval (VAR) tax rate, adjusted and unadjusted, is $3,533,844.

In 2023, the city’s tax rate was $0.4367 per $100 and tax levies totaled $3,738,771.

“I am not calling for or recommending a tax rate increase,” Underwood said.

“We’re bringing in enough revenue to cover our expenses and make sure we can provide the services we need to provide,” Underwood said. Future services include increasing property assessments and announcing plans to hire additional firefighters. “We’re seeing the revenue we need to take care of everything. So there’s no need to raise the tax rate to make that happen. I just wanted to keep it as it is.”

On August 16, the City will issue a public notice to alert citizens to a public hearing on tax rates, which will be decided on August 26 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.