Just like the burgeoning costs of fuel and food, there's another rising rate putting the squeeze on household budgets -- property tax bills, which will start to be mailed out later this month.

Last fall, the county tax office completed a reassessment of more than 100,000 properties as part of a regular cycle to bring values up to current standards. The average residence rose 26 percent in assessed value; commercial properties rose an average of 32 percent.

Residents of some neighborhoods in or near downtown saw their home values double or even triple.

Late last month, the city and the county finalized their 2008-2009 budgets and set their tax rates, so now it is finally possible to determine exactly what effect all those changes will have on individual property tax bills.

Suzy Carmack is one of the homeowners getting clobbered. The assessed value of her Old West Durham home more than doubled, and the tax bill will more than triple because the previous owner, her beloved Aunt Anita, qualified for a lower rate based on her age and income.

Carmack, 49, moved back to Durham from Garner after her aunt passed away. She inherited the responsibility of caring for her cousin. Her aunt's only child, Paul, 43, is mentally handicapped and has cerebral palsy.

"He's a joy," Carmack said of caring for her cousin. But Carmack also took on the responsibility for the house.

"I can understand an increase," she said. "But doubling -- that's incredible."

On top of the bill, Carmack, who works for a construction management company in Cary, is only drawing 60 percent of her paycheck right now. She shattered her ankle in April in a fall and has had two surgeries. She'll be able to return to work in August, she said. But she might have to take on some extra work as soon as she's able.

"I can, and will, pay the taxes," Carmack said. "But it would be money I would rather spend on doing improvements to the house."