Facing amultipronged financial crisis, the Austin City Council on Thursday took a major step toward approving what could be the biggest property tax hike in at least 20 years

In a unanimous vote, the 11-member body set the maximum property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year at 60 cents per $100 of property valuation. That’s 25% higher than the current rate.

But whether that will be the final tax rate remains to be seen. For one, the rate approved Thursday is not set in stone – it is a ceiling and council members may adopt a lower rate later this month after budget discussions.

Even if they stick with it, they would have to ask voters for permission this fall.

That’s because the maximum rate council approved Thursday is 8 cents higher than allowed under a 2019 state law that bars

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