First public meeting held on potential property tax increase

HOUSTON, Texas (FOX 26) - "This was an emergency, I did not call up the storm, this was an emergency," says Mayor Sylvester Turner.

In the City of Houston, debris removal will cost $260 million in total. The government and state will reimburse 90 percent of the total expenses, costing the city $26 million after all.

The money will be used to pay for damaged or destroyed police, fire or city vehicles, equipment, road and bridge repair. As well as repairs to parks, libraries and city buildings.

The way the Mayor Turner suggests paying for everything is by proposing a temporary property tax increase.

What does that mean for homeowners:

If you own a home worth $100,000, you currently pay $586 in property taxes. If this passes, you would pay $608.

If you own a home worth $175,000, you currently pay $1,026. You would then pay $1,064.

If you own a home worth $225,000, you currently pay about $1,321. If it passes you would pay $1,369.

The proposed tax would increase the current rate $0.60 per every $100 of appraised value.

Senator Paul Bettencourt spoke saying he wasn't a fan of the idea. "I don't think we should be kicking Houstonian's when they are down," says Senator Bettencourt.

Several council members asked him to ask the state to potentially tap into its rainy day fund.

"It's a rainy day fund and it's pouring and we need to help," says councilman Jack Christie.

"One of the primary, if not the number one thing, I'm hearing from them and they ask me as a city council member is what about the rainy day fund," says councilwoman Amanda Edwards.

The next public hearing will be held October 2 in the council chambers at 6 p.m. The city council will vote on this on October 18.