How do you "lower [a] tax increase"?

I guess you can "increase a tax reduction" and end up at the same place.

i voted for the starbucks chick

That coffee shop girl or that mentally ill guy that ran for mayor last election are starting to look pretty good right about now.

"There's been significant tax increases year after year due to the (property) evaluation side getting corrected as they should be," Councilman Paul Polasek said.

I hope Polasek lost some sleep last night after making that intentionally (he knows better) deceptive statement. The council just proved it has COMPLETE CONTROL over setting the tax rate to collect the revenue they desire, and Polasek still has the nerve to place the blame on property assessments. The council ALWAYS has the ability to lower the tax rate to bring in the same amount of revenue (or less!) as the year before, which would not increase city taxes.

Why are we still being fed this load of bull by people we're supposed to be able to trust (right?), and why isn't the media calling them on it? I wish Brian would probe a little harder on this issue because it's the biggest lie going.

Fellow Victorians, to be clear, tax collection increases are ALWAYS the result of the appetites of the taxing entities, not the result of tax base valuation increases. Tax rates are meant to float, not stay locked in so they can pretend to be helpless to the windfall. If property valuations increase 1,000%, the tax rate can be reduced proportionately to keep collections flat. The CAD does not dictate tax collections! If they do, why aren't we DIRECTLY electing officials to the CAD Board and Chief Appraiser position? Shouldn't the tax collectors be accountable to the citizens?

Please don't swallow the lies! And don't let them off the hook with their usual misdirecting special pleading of "don't your want your streets to be repaired?" Of course we all want our infrastructure to be functional, but who wants to be lied to about how the money is raised? What else are they being dishonest about?

Denise Rangel's proposed "tax increase" would raise $438,000 more dollars than the current budget year. So why is Ms Rangel supporting a huge tax increase on her constituents?

David Hagan has presented two proposals which would not impact city employee raises. And would not impact the cities ability to accumulate more money for their future activities (whatever that may be). His suggestions are to have the Hotel Occupancy Tax fund reimburse the Public Information Office for some of the time and services which OC Garza and his staff will provide the new tourism department. (The City of San Antonio does that already. If San Antonio does it , why not Victoria?) Victoria's City Manager's excuse was very lame. "We don't know how much we could charge?" But you do know how much it costs to pick up recycled waste. Use the same guess. Hagan has also suggested that reducing or postponing the excessive use of consultants until later in the year. These two recommendations could prevent the 8th tax increase in 10 years.

“We have raised taxes significantly every year since I’ve been on council,” said Polasek at Thursday’s council meeting on the budget. Brian Cuaron, Victoria Advocate, August 19, 2011

I love it. Armstrong wants a greater increase but can't tell us why...you know, the stuff in executive session is need to know only.
And Halepaska would rather vote for something he doesn't agree with than vote the same way as Hagan.

No increase. Effective rate is 63.5 cents - that's what should be set. And slick Willie can explain to the hundreds of residents why their homes are over-valued...

County officials give themselves a raise, and city officials give us a tax increase. When does it ever stop! How about the next election!

"evaluation side getting corrected like it should be" .... what a joke!
I thought we elected representatives to listen to our views, and look after our interests. Council already has the power to neutralize the "evaluation side".
The city, the county and Victoria College have the power to take what they want, of your income. You get what is left.

These officials will not listen to the people they represent. The ballot box is the only answer. Vote them out!

Again our illustrious mayor shows his despicable habit of totally ignoring the will of the people. The economy is bad and our council keeps voting tax increases. And please....stop with the "evaluation side getting corrected like it should be"....you are insulting every citizen in Victoria's intelligence. My taxes went up a ridiculous amount last year because of an increase in the evaluation of my home when the property values in my neighborhood have continued to decline. People....vote these people out.....Please.