Should homeowners pay more to fix neighborhood streets?

That question could soon be in front of voters as Corpus Christi considers a property tax increase dedicated to road repairs.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Should homeowners pay more in property taxes to fix neighborhood streets?

That question is headed to the Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday as members consider asking voters to approve a property tax increase dedicated to residential street repairs.

The proposal comes as the city’s street maintenance budget is expected to shrink significantly next year, leaving fewer miles of neighborhood roads scheduled for reconstruction.

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For residents on Lansdown Drive, where potholes have become part of the daily drive, the discussion is long overdue.

Residents say years of temporary patching have failed to solve the problem.

“They have repaved the other side of Lansdown on both sides,” resident Randy Dazey said. “This one they don’t. So, what happens is that every time it rains they come out and throw a little more stuff in the hole and all of the holes it’s patches on patches and it’s crazy.”

According to the city, Corpus Christi paved about 30 miles of residential streets this year using a $43 million budget. Next year’s proposed funding drops to $27 million, enough to pave only about 18 miles.

To make up the difference, city leaders are considering asking voters to approve a two cent increase in the city’s property tax rate.

City Manager Peter Zanoni said the proposal would appear on the November ballot if approved by the City Council.

“There would be a ballot measure this fall that would ask the voter, do you want City Council next year to increase the city’s property tax rate by two cents and dedicate what would be $6 million for street maintenance?” Zanoni said.

The proposal has already sparked debate among council members.

Councilman Mark Scott questioned whether relying on property taxes is the right way to pay for street repairs because homeowners’ tax bills can increase as property values rise.

“It lacks certainty. So, OK my house is worth $10 this year but next year if it’s worth $20 that means my two cent increase for the streets doubles? I don’t know if I’m using any more streets so I think there’s gonna be opposition to certainty,” Scott said.

The City Council is expected to discuss the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting. If approved, the measure would appear before Corpus Christi voters in November.