Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
Austin City Council passed a $5.9 billion budget and increased property tax rate for fiscal year 2024-25. The big picture Council’s Aug. 14 vote on the budget came after weeks of review and adjustments. Austin’s next fiscal year starts in October. The spending plan includes funding for many initiatives supported by council members, includ- ing some aimed at homelessness, public safety, parks maintenance and climate planning. City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the budget balances Austin’s short- and long-term needs with funding for items of council and community interest. City leaders voted 10-1 in favor of the next bud- get and tax rate, with council member Mackenzie Kelly against, citing affordability concerns and a desire to reduce more spending. The overview Beyond Broadnax’s original framework released in July, council members also voted to fund several million dollars’ worth of their items of interest. That included: • Nearly $9 million for homeless shelter, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs • Nearly $2 million to add more staff for parks Austin officials OK $5.9B city budget, tax increase
Breaking down the bills The typical Austin homeowner will pay almost $300 more for taxes and city services over the next year.
$6,000
Clean Community Fee PER SINGLE-FAMILY HOME
$5,443.76
$5,085.58
Drainage Utility Fee RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER WITH 3,100 SQ. FT./37% OF IMPERVIOUS COVER
$5,000
Transportation User Fee PER SINGLE-FAMILY HOME
$4,000
Austin Resource Recovery fees RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER USING 64-GALLON BIN
$3,000
Property taxes PROPERTY TAX IS BASED ON THE MEDIAN HOME VALUE OF $524,082 Austin Energy charges RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER USAGE OF 860 KWH/MONTH Austin Water charges RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER USAGE OF 5,800 GALLONS OF WATER AND 4,000 GALLONS OF WASTEWATER/MONTH
$2,000
$1,000
0
FY 2023-24
FY 2024-25
City of Austin tax rates The city's fiscal year 2024-25 tax rate will be over 7% higher than the current rate, costing the owner of a median-valued home about $188 more in taxes next year.
$0.6 $0.5 $0.4 $0.3 $0.2 $0.1 0
$0.5335
$0.541
$0.4776
$0.4627
$0.4458
Property tax rate
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
2020-21
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Some of those items were funded through a reduction in the city’s planned reserve allocations. What residents should know Council approved a tax rate of $0.4776 per $100 of property value for the upcoming fiscal year, a more than 7% increase from the current rate. The owner of a median-valued home in the city—assessed at $524,082—can expect to pay nearly $2,000 in taxes over the next year, accord- ing to city estimates. Additionally, their utility charges and city fees are projected at about $3,500 in total.
maintenance • $1.3 million to continue Austin’s monthly grant program for low-income families • $1.81 million to support an enhanced EMS presence downtown • $100,000 to support Austinites with flood insurance needs. Funding was also directed towards violence intervention programs; support for initiatives in the police, fire and EMS departments; traffic and transportation management; and animal shelter staffing.
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