2013 City tax rate stays the same

El Paso City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2013 budget and the tax rate.

The 2013 tax rate is the same as the 2012 tax rate of .658-percent.

In most cases, council members saidEl Paso homeowners will be paying less in property tax dollars this year. The reason is because the city’s home values decreased this year by an average of $150 forevery $100,000 a home is worth.

The city is collecting more in property tax as a whole, though.

Valuations of commercial industries and businesses increased this year, providing more property tax dollars for the city in the end.

El Paso’s property-tax rate could have been cut, but city council members decided against it.

They say the reason is a pending lawsuit between Western Refining and the Central Appraisal District.

Western Refining is fighting the valuation issued by CAD, which the company deems as too great.

The company first appealed the valuation but it was rejected by CAD.

Western Refining is now contesting the valuation in district court.

“The impact of that could be $5 million in lost revenue to the city of El Paso,” Mayor John Cook said. “If they’re successful.”