Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
Austin surveillance guidelines passed Austin leaders adopted new policies for the city’s use of surveillance technologies in response to concerns about such systems, including a proposed parks security contract that was once again put on hold. The setup A $2 million contract for security trailers to be placed around parkland was up for City Council authorization both last summer and on Feb. 5, but was withdrawn from consider- ation both times after pushback. In response to public concerns—and previ- ous debates over privacy and data collection related to police license plate readers— council also passed a new civic surveillance technology use policy from Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela Feb. 5.
Austin’s social service ‘reset’ continues Funding for Austin’s social service programs is in line for further cuts, and the city is now evaluating how to both reduce portions of its tens of millions of dollars in annual spending. The setup Increased investments in social services like homelessness response, public health program- ming, violence interruption and resident assis- tance were proposed last year in the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Most added funding was stripped away in a budget rewrite after voters rejected a tax increase under Proposition Q. Further cuts are now on the horizon as Austin works toward what several officials have called a social services “reset.” The approach Dozens of social service contracts totaling
Social service funding More than $74 million is currently budgeted for social service programs in fiscal year 2025-26. Violence prevention: $2.4M Workforce development: $2.7M
Health equity, HIV services, community planning: $4.4M Basic needs: $5.8M Children and youth support: $9.2M Crisis response and behavioral health: $14.8M Homelessness: $34.9M
NOTE: TOTALS ARE ROUNDED SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
tens of millions of dollars are being reviewed to streamline or remove some programming with limited disruption. The multipart assessment already invento- ried nearly 170 past contracts worth more than $200 million. In FY 2025-26 alone, more than $74 million is reserved for social services. Staff will share possible next steps in the spring ahead of final budget adoption in the summer.
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