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Houston's City Council has voted to cut the property tax rate, but anti-tax activists say most homeowners will still pay bigger tax bills.

That point touched off heated arguments at City Hall Wednesday.

"We are still raising taxes," said Councilmember Addie Wiseman.

KHOU-TV

Councilmembers Wiseman and Galloway disagreed about proeprty tax reductions.

"What we are voting on today is not a tax increase," said Councilmember Carol Mims Galloway.

City Council voted to cut the property tax rate one-quarter of one cent for every $100 of a property's value on the tax rolls.

That would save the owner of a $100,000 house $2.50 a year.

But of course, Houston's booming housing market brings higher home prices and higher home prices generally bring homeowners higher property tax bills.

"This happens every time this issue of setting the tax rate comes up," said Wiseman.

That triggered an argument for deeper tax rate cuts.

"That's why the legislature, excuse me, that's why the legislature passed unanimously, you're interrupting. That's why ... This kind of childish behavior cannot continue," said Wiseman, as Mims also talked.

"The fact that this is the last council meeting before an election created a little bit more silliness than we're used to at this table," Mayor White said.

The City of Houston has actually lowered its tax rate a number of times during the last few years: three times in the last six years, twice in the last two years. By contrast, Harris County commissioners this week rejected a proposed tax rate cut for the county.

City Hall has cut its tax rate but Houston homeowners may not even notice it.