Austin City Council Approves $6.6 Billion Budget

Austin City Council Approves $6.6 Billion Budget

The Austin City Council has approved a $6.6 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes a property tax increase and higher costs for several city services. Council members approved the budget Wednesday night on a 9-2 vote, with Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Member Marc Duchen voting against it. The budget raises the city’s property tax rate by 3.5%. For the owner of an average-value Austin home of about $488,000, that translates to…

Austin City Council approves $6.6B budget

Austin's $6.6B budget includes funding to restructure 911 dispatch

The change drives a wedge between community and council members concerned about response times.

Austin council split over shifting $676K from police raises to new 911 office

Austin City Council members are split over a budget amendment that would shift $676,000 away from proposed Austin Police Department increases to help create a n

Breaking Down Austin's FY 2026-27 Parks Budget

On August 12, Austin City Council approved the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, roughly one month after the initial draft was released. While headlines focused on the citywide total, us park-goers and trail users want to know one thing: What’s in the Budget for our Parks, Pools and Trails? Austin Parks and Recreation Department (APR) funding is drawn from the city’s General Revenue Fund, which funds public safety and a broad r…

Divided Austin council passes $6.6B budget that raises taxes, taps reserves

A divided Austin City Council approved a $6.6 billion budget Wednesday night that will raise taxes and fees while preserving most social service funding and adding money for homelessness programs, public safety and a new emergency communications office. The council adopted the 2026-27 spending…