The mayor had asked for an increase of about 9 percent to raise $110 million. That money was to be used for emergency purposes, the mayor said.
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At Wednesday's regular council meeting, the mayor said he'd ask for roughly $50 million instead, because FEMA reimbursement rates were higher than first expected.
The drop would bring the increase down to about $4 a month for an average house of $225,000, the mayor's communication director Alan Bernstein said.
Larry Green and Mayor Turner engaged in heated discussion
There is still about 8 million cubic yards of debris left on Houston streets, Turner said. It will take at least another three months to complete that cleanup.
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Finding contractors to do the cleanup is tough with Hurricane Irma making landfall in Florida so close to Harvey, Turner said. Contractors are able to find higher-paying work there.
FEMA increased Houston's rate for cleanup to $11.69 a cubic yard, up from $7.69 to help attract crews.
The newer adjusted tax rate was still being worked on, Bernstein said.
Public hearings are planned for Monday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m.
RELATED: Residents not thrilled about mayor's proposed property tax hike
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