By: Lauren Pierce

Under the 2011-2012 Austin City Council budget, city residents can expect increases not only in their property taxes, but also water bills, garbage fees and electricity bills. Of course, this rise taxes and fees could be somewhat avoided if only the Austin City Council would cut unnecessary programs like two recreation centers, which will stay open at the continued expense of tax payers.

Home owners are not the only property owners affected by these tax and fee hikes - businesses can expect to see an increase in their electric bills anywhere from 0.3 percent to 15 percent. Further emptying the pocketbooks of our businesses and residents will only result in a worsening economic situation for the people of Austin.

Thank goodness we still have those basketball courts to work off all this economic frustration! You’re paying for them whether you use them or not.

For more – read this article in the Austin American-Statesman: Austin Residents Face Higher Tax Bills, Utility Fees