Government
BY BEN THOMPSON & SIENNA WIGHT
Austin’s trimmed budget, lower tax rate approved Austin o cials unanimously approved a reduced $6.3 billion budget and tax rate for scal year 2025-26 in November, weeks after voters rejected a tax hike under Proposition Q. The specifics The proposition’s failure in the Nov. 4 election automatically dropped the city’s tax rate from the level set under Proposition Q, removing about $100 million from Austin’s general fund covering public-facing departments. City nance sta recommended cutting most extra Proposition Q spending, which had centered largely on homelessness response, public safety and parks upkeep. Further adjust- ments in the November budget review shifted some funding toward medic overtime and mental health response, homeless shelter and services, city employee bene ts and park maintenance. Mayor Kirk Watson said o cials responded to Proposition Q’s failure by providing for “basic services through basic budgeting.” “I believe the budget amendment that we just adopted reveals that we trusted the voters, we heard the voters and we reacted to the voters,” he said Nov. 20. The cost The Proposition Q election was called after City Council passed a budget this summer backed by the higher tax rate to fund a range of their priorities, most of which had to be trimmed. Austin’s FY 2025-26 tax rate is $0.524017 per $100 property valuation, a 5-cent decrease from the Proposition Q rate but still about 10% higher
Dripping Springs sets parks master plan Dripping Springs adopted its Parks, Rec- reation and Open Space 2026 master plan in November to guide park development and recreational programming. The big picture Parks and Community Services Director Andrew Binz said the plan was created over 12 months using input from thousands of Dripping Springs residents. Public outreach included a survey, open-house events, stakeholder meetings, engagement booths at festivals and a parks visioning tour. Based on community input, top investment priorities include: • An indoor community center and restrooms • Outdoor adventure, special events and environmental education • Nature trails and new connections between destinations
Taxpayer impact City property taxes and other charges will rise about 4% in the coming year, and are expected to rise more than 6% next year.
Utility charges Property taxes City fees
Fiscal year 2024-25
$2,557.92
$1,969.56
$920.04
Fiscal year 2025-26 (revised)
$2,603.76 $2,074.28
$988.8
Fiscal year 2026-27 (planned)
$2,732.4
$2,242.8
$1,042.92
NOTE: ESTIMATES BASED ON AUSTIN'S MEDIAN HOMESTEAD VALUE, TYPICAL CUSTOMER UTILITY AND SERVICE USAGE, AND TYPICAL SINGLE FAMILY HOME
CHARACTERISTICS AS DEFINED BY THE CITY. SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
than last year’s. The owner of a home valued at about $495,000, the city median, can now expect to pay about $100 more in property taxes along- side other increased city and utility charges. Steeper city cost increases are on the horizon. One more thing O cials also moved to: • Launch a public website logging city audits, studies and consultant reports, and track their recommendations • Solicit more budgeting feedback from city boards and commissions • Update nancial accountability policies for council o ces • Develop new budgeting best practices
“This plan is about more than parks. It’s about creating spaces that bring people together, nurture
wellness and celebrate what makes Dripping Springs such a special place to live.” ANDREW BINZ, PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
Hays County o cials plan to issue $100M certi cates of obligation for facilities
“These projects … are about ensuring that our residents can access services in spaces that are safe, modern and equipped to meet today’s demands,” commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said in a news release. What’s next County o cials will issue public notices and begin the bond rating process. The CO sale could be approved Jan. 20.
Hays County intends to issue up to $100 million in debt for new public facilities. The overview County commissioners estimate a tax rate of $0.0102 per $100 valuation will be levied to pay the debt service of the certi cates of obligation. Commissioners cited the county’s projected 267% population growth from 2015-45 as a reason to invest in new facilities given rising demand and service needs.
The Eastside Campus, a new administrative building A remodel of Hays County Government Center Animal shelter facilities Precinct o ces Facilities funding Hays County’s latest debt issuance would fund:
SOURCE: HAYS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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