The Abilene City Council on Thursday considered -- during its first of three public hearings -- a proposal to establish the tax rate for fiscal year 2013.

The measure, calling for a tax rate of 68.60 per $100 valuation, is a bit lower than the present tax rate of 69.32 cents.

Even with the lower tax rate, the owner of a $100,000 home would see an increase of about $10 on their tax bill because total property values are higher this year, city officials have said.

A second public hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 13. A final hearing and vote has been scheduled for Sept. 24.