
The new tax rate will raise the average residential property $107, an increase that council members initially said they were trying to avoid.
But they also wanted to raise $110 million for transportation projects. So they struck a deal, setting aside 2.2 cents of the general tax rate specifically for line items such as constructing dedicated bus lanes near the Mark Center and widening Jefferson Davis Highway.
The council also rejected a proposal to force all city employees to contribute to their pensions, and compromised by agreeing to fund the construction of two new elementary schools instead of the four initially proposed.

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.