Prince William County supervisors have agreed to advertise a 27-percent increase in the county's property tax rate.

The supervisors have set the tax rate at $1 for each $100 of assessed value. If adopted, the tax rate would boost average homeowner tax bills by more than eight percent.

Supervisors will adopt a final rate after they approve the budget next month.

Prince William has been hit hard by slumping real estate values as the county struggles with the costs of being one of Virginia's fastest-growing counties.