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Tag Archives: city budget

Tax rate election looks likely for Austin this year

Under state law, Austin is only allowed to raise its tax rate by 3.5 percent without asking voters for permission. That law has been on the books since 2019 without the city scheduling a regular tax rate election. But it…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 28, 2025

Technology Commission approves FY 26 budget recommendations to address digital equity

Austin’s Technology Commission unanimously approved five recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, based on a digital needs assessment, to address digital equity in Austin including funding for affordable devices, expanded public internet access and increased digital skills training for…

Budget • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 11, 2025

Council vows to make homelessness a top financial priority

City Council last week reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Austin’s homelessness crisis, pledging to use a recent data-driven report to guide housing and services investments over the next 10 years. City officials will work with Travis County, service providers and…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 3, 2025

Public lines up to oppose police contract

The Austin City Council sat through hours of speeches from the public on Tuesday, mostly from citizens who oppose the proposed five-year contract with the city’s police union. A few spoke in support, but the vast majority of the 236…

Police • By Jo Clifton • Oct 23, 2024

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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…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 19, 2024

Austin faces lawsuit for providing financial support to people seeking out-of-state abortions

The city of Austin is being sued for a provision in the budget providing money to people seeking out-of-state abortions. City Council last week approved $400,000 to fund travel – including airfare, gas, hotel stays and food – for people…

Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 22, 2024

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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…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 16, 2024

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…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 15, 2024

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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,…

Budget • By Amy Smith • Aug 15, 2024

Animal Services Office turns to outside boarding to address shelter crowding

The Animal Services Office has recently resumed use of third-party boarding facilities to handle space constraints and crowded conditions at Austin Animal Center. A memo published last week from Don Bland, chief animal services officer, gave City Council an update…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 13, 2024

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…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 13, 2024

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…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 9, 2024

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