The Pima County Board of Supervisors held the line on property taxes when they set the tax rate Monday, Aug. 20.

The primary tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, at $3.41 per $100 of assessed valuation, remains steady at the 2011/2012 rate.

In all, the total tax rate was set at $4.85 per $100 of assessed valuation, when taking into account taxes that support fire districts, flood control projects, libraries and payments on county debt.

That is a smidge higher than last year’s, because of a slight increase in fire district assistance, but far lower than a decade ago, when the combined tax rate was nearly $5.50.

In all, property taxes will be lower next fiscal year by more than $12 million. The County levy hasn’t been this low since 2007.

“In light of the economic recovery, it is prudent policy to maintain a consistent tax rate,” said County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry. “And while we remain committed to continuing to work on efficiencies, we are pleased that we are also able to maintain a high level of service to our local residents.”

Huckelberry said the tax rate will support a budget that has sufficient cushion to absorb any unexpected expenses, particularly given past legislative fund sweeps and reductions in revenues shared with counties and cities.