Mayor Parker reveals proposed city budget

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Mayor Annise Parker today unveiled a $4.54 billion proposed total city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2012.

The General Fund, or tax supported portion of the budget, is $2.08 billion. The mayor's budget proposal does not include a property tax increase and it maintains focus on jobs and sustainable development, public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and fiscal responsibility. And, as a reflection of the improved local economy, the budget does not include service cuts or layoffs in city departments.

"Due to prudent fiscal management of the city during the past two budget cycles, we have sufficient funding to continue delivering on my administration's five priorities," said Mayor Parker. "Houston's economy is doing much better than it was a year ago. Our job growth continues to be the envy of the rest of the nation, property values are improving and consumer spending is on the rise. Challenges remain, but we will continue to meet them head on, making the right decisions even when they are tough."

The mayor's budget plan maintains the existing property tax rate of 63.875 cents per $100 of taxable value and does not include any new fees nor rely on any major land sales. In general, it is a flat budget with funding levels for all departments at essentially the same levels as last year -- with the exception of contractual increases for pensions and increases in health benefits, fuel, electricity and information technology costs.

ABC13's Miya Shay will have more on this story this afternoon on Eyewitness News.

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