The Odessa Board of Aldermen approved the city’s tax levy for the next fiscal year during its meeting on Monday, August 26.

City Administrator Shawna Davis said the tax rate increased from $.7151 to $.7655 per $100 assessed valuation. The rate was approved by the board.

The board also approved an ordinance accepting the results of the August Primary Election regarding the city’s sales tax question. The city was seeking to impose a .5 percent sales tax for the purpose of improving public safety. Davis said the goal of the tax would have been to fund a justice center for the Odessa Police Department.

The city plans to hold a public safety focus group now to help decide how the city should pursue this endeavor. The sales tax question failed to pass on the August Election ballot, with 557 voting against the measure and only 395 to approve it.