The average Austin homeowner could see about $10 more in city property taxes next year after a levy was set Tuesday.

City council voted to cap the tax levy at a 4.59 percent increase, but that number could still be lowered by the end of the year.

The full increase would net the city an additional $170,000 in funds during a year when Austin is slotted to lose more than $876,000 through unallottments by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

City council members and the mayor have discussed the possibility of bringing down the 4.59 percent number, but Austin Administrative Services Director Tom Dankert has warned that having a zero or near-zero percent increase would be fiscally irresponsible.

Dankert said during an Aug. 17 council meeting that having no increase now would likely lead to higher costs later — and possibly a much larger tax spike, something citizens dislike, he said.

“Eventually, someone’s going to have to pay the bill,” Dankert said at that meeting.

Dankert asked council Tuesday if there were other items they’d like to look at as the budget discussion nears the end of the road.

No new issues came forward, but council had previously decided to further discuss five items that came up in earlier budget meetings.

Those items — which includes discussion of closing an area ice arena — are slated to come up at future council work sessions, though they could be part of 2011 budget planning.

Council also approved a levy for the Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which is 16 percent smaller than last year’s number.

Citizens looking to offer input on taxes can attend a public truth-in-taxation hearing on Dec. 1 at 6:01 p.m. — that was also set Tuesday.

Such public hearings are required of governmental units of 500 or more people, by state law.