Tyler Reporter

The proposed 2021 budget for the City of Tyler has a 3% spending reduction over the current year, coming in at approximately $202 million.

The result is in a $0.09 decrease in the property tax rate over the current year. The intent of the city was to have a “no new revenue” rate in order to offer some relief to the community in the midst of the economic crisis created by COVID-19 restrictions, according to the city’s website. It also gives Tyler the lowest tax rate of any city in Texas with fewer than 15,000 residents.

City Manager Edward Brousard recently told the City Council that, in two decades of working in municipal government, this year was the hardest he has seen for budget administration and development.

“We will absorb these shortfalls and continue to provide key services, as local governments will not receive state and federal bailouts for our revenue losses on sales tax, hotel occupancy tax, and other revenue streams,” Broussard said.