BY BEN THOMPSON
Austin task force proposes nearly $770M bond package
A resident-led task force charged with recom- mending the scope of Austin’s next bond produced two options in May: a $766.53 million package and a narrowed $436 million package, which will now be used by City Council to shape a final plan this year. What’s happening The 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force, or BEATF held months of meetings and considered public feedback before advancing the two options May 4. The BEATF’s main proposal includes nearly $770 million of projects in five main spending areas: • $200 million for affordable housing • $175 million for parkland initiatives like land acquisition and facility renovations • $147 million for transportation projects like sidewalks and safety upgrades • $131.1 million for public facilities like Austin Animal Center upgrades and a homeless shelter
Austin 2026 bond recommendations Officials will decide the final outline of a potential 2026 bond later this year.
• $113.43 million for drainage and flood prevention
At the request of five City Council members, the task force also developed a trimmed down blue- print of nearly $440 million including only parks, mobility and public facilities projects. However, several participants said they didn’t support the smaller option floated by city officials just weeks ago. ”We have over $10 billion in unmet needs. We’re never going to get all the way there. But I struggle with trying to do quick math in the ninth inning from a council message board post,” member Tina
Affordable housing Public facilities*
Parks, open space
Transportation
Watershed protection, drainage January city staff recommendation
Total $700M
$140M $149M $251M $160M May bond task force recommendation (preferred) Total $766.53M
May bond task force recommendation (council-requested option) $200M $175M $131.1M $147M $113.43M
Cannon said. What’s next
Total $436M
Council will weigh the BEATF’s recommenda- tions and another update from city staff through- out May leading up to a potential vote to advance a 2026 election.
$225M $131M $80M *RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE LAND ACQUISITION, ANIMAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS, HOMELESS SHELTER, LIBRARIES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDINGS.
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316 NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665 Che s to Savings! ®
HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401 ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expy (512) 342-6893
Powered by FlippingBook