ABILENE, Texas -- The Abilene Chamber of Commerce is lobbying for a property tax increase to help fund the Taylor County Expo Center.

In a letter sent in July, Board Director Ron Butler asked Taylor County Commissioners to consider a 1 cent tax increase to fund needs at the venue.

The letter says extra funding would help with operational costs as well as need improvements at the facilities.

The Expo Center has voiced concern about the possibility of losing events to towns with updated venues.

Abilene Chamber of Commerce President Mike McMahan says, "The timing of the letter was such that we were trying to see if there could be funding for this year. The time when we were discussing this was the exact time as the county was setting their budget, and it will be a year from now before that opportunity arises again."

Commissioners are proposing less than half a cent increase in property taxes for next fiscal year.

They say the increase will not mean any new funding for the Expo Center