Budget proposal is on the way

The numbers for the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget are almost here. According to a press release, City Manager Spencer Cronk will hold a special called meeting on Monday, Aug. 6, to submit his proposed budget to City Council and deliver his accompanying message. The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mexican American Cultural Center, at 600 River St. “In a growing and increasingly complex city like Austin, it’s vital that the budget provides a roadmap toward a shared vision for the future,” said Cronk in the release. “That means focusing on the outcomes we want to see for our investments. The Strategic Direction provides us a new and meaningful way to engage in budget conversations with the Council and the community.” Council will begin discussion on the budget in a work session on Aug. 15, with budget and tax rate public hearings scheduled for Aug. 22 and 30. Final adoption of the budget is planned for September. The city manager developed his budget proposal after an extensive public engagement process that involved informational meetings, Council district town halls and online surveys.