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Budget

Travis County passes budget with a focus on justice reform

Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, totaling almost $2 billion – investments in the county’s mental health care services and legal defense apparatus mean the average homeowner will see an increase of about…

Travis County approves 6.5% tax rate increase for Central Health budget amid financial controversy

Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a 6.5 percent tax rate increase and a $888 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county’s health care district, Central Health, on Tuesday – amid uncertainty about a potential conflict between Central Health’s mission…

Fuentes airs budget concerns over move to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open indefinitely

City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes has signaled her concerns with a resolution scheduled for next week’s meeting that could result in keeping a 300-bed emergency shelter open far longer than it was originally budgeted for. The resolution directs the city…

Travis County commissioners postpone tax rate increase for Central Health amid financial transparency concerns

After last week’s confusing and concerning audit report on Travis County’s health care district Central Health, the Commissioners Court this week put off voting on the district’s budget and a 6.5 percent tax rate increase for Fiscal Year 2025 amid…

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Central Health sends 2025 fiscal year budget to Travis County for final approval

Central Health leadership gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $884 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget will go before Travis County commissioners for a final vote in September. As Travis County’s public hospital district, Central Health is…

Taxes are rising, as are charges for city services

Money paid by city of Austin taxpayers and Austin residents who pay monthly bills for water and wastewater, electricity, trash and recycling collection (as well as a drainage utility fee and a clean community fee) will see their cost-of-living increase…

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Council OKs raising property tax, adding funds for homeless services in new $5.9 billion budget

Austin taxpayers will see an increase in their property tax bills next year, but not so much that it will require their approval. Taxpayers will be charged $0.4776 per $100 taxable value, with a homestead exemption of $154,000 for homeowners…

Parks, pools, trees – and dogs – get a boost in new city budget

The new city budget City Council passed Wednesday delivered good news for parks and park lovers with the creation of a land acquisition fund, improved parks maintenance, additional funding for tree-planting projects and a dog park in Southwest Austin. Additionally,…

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Council budget requests include weatherization expansion, despite Austin Energy reservations

City Council has many possible budget amendments to consider this week. Although city staff has made clear that the city’s growth has not been sufficiently robust to support many expensive changes to the city’s budget, Council will still move forward…

Central Health board gives first OK to new tax rate, considers future revenue options

Central Health’s Board of Managers is preparing to set a higher tax rate. Its new property tax rate will be almost 10.8 cents per $100 of taxable value, which will translate to an increase of $66 per year for owners…

Council lays out budget priorities for a lean year

In a nearly three-hour session on Thursday, Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council members offered support for a lengthy variety of amendments to the budget they will vote on next Wednesday, and possibly on Thursday and Friday. With a lengthy…

Message board shows some of Council’s budget wish list

Although Tuesday’s City Council work session focused almost exclusively on gaps in the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget for services related to homelessness, Council members have highlighted a variety of needs in their message board posts. Today, Council will once…

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