Property taxes in Des Moines could increase by about $105 next year on a home with an assessed valuation of $250,000.

This will happen if the city council agrees on Sept. 8 to place a proposed property tax levy lid lift on November's general election ballot and the voters approve it.

In a story published Aug. 24, the Times/News erroneously stated that the tax increase would be about $400 a year on a $250,000 home.

The Times/News regrets the error and any confusion have caused.

According to City Treasurer Paula Henderson, the proposal, if approved, would raise the city' property tax levy in 2006 from approximately $1.18 to $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The levy lid lift under consideration would be earmarked to help the city's police department return to its 1999 staffing levels.

That would help replace the seven patrol officers and four community service officers who have been laid off in the wake of voter approved statewide tax-cutting ballot measures.

The police and other city departments have experienced sharp reductions in staff and some services since Washington voters approved Initiative 695 in 1999 and related initiatives since then.