Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | May 2026

Government

BY BEN THOMPSON, SIENNA WIGHT & CHLOE YOUNG

Travis County shares child care, parks, museum district updates Travis County Judge Andy Brown shared updates on several major county initiatives at the State of the County address, followed by county commissioners’ approval of funding in May. What happened Several updates stemmed from the 2024 voter-approved tax rate increase to generate $75 million for aordable child care. County commissioners voted on $13 million in new contracts with 11 community organizations for after-school care and summer programs, and a $4.1 million agreement for small business child care assistance. More than $30 million has now been awarded through the tax-funded Raising Travis County initiative, including child care for 1,000 children.

Austin task force proposes nearly $770M bond A resident-led task force proposed the scope of Austin’s next bond. The overview After months of public input and deliber- ation, the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force released its bond recommendations in May. A preferred $766.53 million package would fund aordable housing, parkland initiatives, transportation projects, public facilities and ood protection, while a narrowed $436 million proposal requested by some council members struck housing and drainage funds. City Council will advance bond plans this spring.

“These investments in our downtown, in our parks and in our people

are how we build real economic resilience” ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE

What else? The largest addition to the county’s park system east of I-35, 1,300 acres on Wilbarger Creek, a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, will preserve the creek’s greenway from Pugerville to the county line, Brown said. To revitalize underused space in downtown Aus- tin, Brown said the county will create a museum district centered around the historic Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse. The new museum district will come from a partnership between the University of Texas School of Architecture and Travis County Commissioner Je Travillion.

Dripping Springs wastewater service costs could rise Ocials are discussing modied wastewater service rates, which were last adjusted in 2022. The big picture City Council was presented with six options

Proposed wastewater fees FY 202526 For customers averaging 5,262 gallons per month, proposed prices ranged from $103 to over $130.

were over 100% more than current rates of about $50. Commercial users’ expenses are also expected to rise. What they’re saying Mayor Bill Foulds asked council to consider delinquent bills, while council member Georey Tahuahua discussed making other budget cuts to oer lower wastewater rates.

$150

$100

$50

backed to varying levels from the city budget and fees. Rates for a residential customer using an average of 5,262 gallons per month ranged from $103 to $133 for scal year 2025-26. All proposals

Current bill

Lowest scenario

Highest scenario

SOURCE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM