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Budget
Budget work session on homelessness spending shows gaps in funding
City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes requested a briefing to help her and other Council members understand the intricacies of funding shelter for Austin’s homeless population. She said it was clear from town hall meetings and budget hearings that Austinites are…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 7, 2024
Music Commission asks city to find space, assistance for Texas Music Museum
The Music Commission has asked the city to step in quickly to provide storage space for the archives of the Texas Music Museum, with $850,000 sought in the near future to help the nonprofit organization remain viable and secure a…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 7, 2024
Resource Recovery proposes slight uptick in trash fees
Austin residents may see a small increase in their trash bill next fiscal year if City Council approves the Austin Resource Recovery budget proposal. The Clean Community Fee for residents would increase by 45 cents from $5 to $5.45 a…
Budget • By Dylan Ebs • Aug 2, 2024
Austin Energy makes a case against giving more to the city’s General Fund
During a budget work session on July 30, Austin Energy made a case for not transferring an extra $4 million to the city’s General Fund, which goes toward basic city services like parks, fire, police and EMS. The city’s ratepayer-owned…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Aug 1, 2024
Firefighters call for more cadets to address safety, mental health needs
The Austin Firefighters Association is seeking more attention to the safety issues facing its membership, which were discussed in part last week during City Council budget sessions. The AFA had planned to hold a press conference Monday to publicize issues…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 30, 2024
Council will face tough budget decisions on parks, animal services and homelessness
City Council is anticipating a tight budget ahead and will have to balance funding for the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Austin Animal Center, the Homeless Strategy Office and Human Resources. The Austin Animal Center is over…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jul 26, 2024
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Audit committee wants to keep a close eye on upcoming bond packages
The City Council Audit and Finance Committee wants staff to deliver quarterly updates to all relevant City Council committees on all projects being considered for Austin’s next bond package – mainly related to climate change and the effects of severe…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 26, 2024
Staff lays out public safety budget choices for City Council
Looking ahead to a tough budget year, City Council will have to choose between spending on firefighters, emergency medical services, parks maintenance, homeless outreach and improving animal services, among others. Wednesday’s budget presentation did nothing to alleviate budget concerns, with…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jul 25, 2024
Parks board recommends beefing up funding for city parks maintenance
With increasing challenges in maintaining grounds within Austin’s busy parks system, the Parks and Recreation Board voted Monday to recommend that City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department budget for the new fiscal year.…
Budget • By Amy Smith • Jul 24, 2024
Council gives first thoughts on $5.9B draft budget for 2025
The early draft of the city’s 2025 budget weighs in at $5.9 billion, a $400 million increase over the current budget. City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the balanced budget offers increases in city staff compensation and benefits despite lower-than-expected sales…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 15, 2024
Community groups await fate of nearly $80M in budget recommendations
A coalition of more than 40 community groups is hoping the new city manager has found room in the next city budget for nearly $80 million of spending to address homelessness, economic insecurity and an assortment of other progressive causes.…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 12, 2024
Austin ISD’s budget deficit means staff pay will barely budge without voter help
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a 2024-25 budget that will require the district to dip into its savings account to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Austin ISD’s annual operating budget will total nearly $954 million after a vote on…
