The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to approve its amended $951.3 million budget for its fiscal year 2015-16 at its Sept. 29 meeting.

The budget outlines the county’s major expenditures, such as government, the justice system, and corrections and rehabilitation costs. Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt made a motion to make a few amendments to the proposed budget just before the vote. Overall, changes to this year’s budget included a 4.29 percent increase in revenue from property taxes compared with the FY 2014-15 budget, as well as raises for some county employees.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Ron Davis said the county faced challenges when it came to social services and other budget constraints.

“This has been a very trying year. … We have to live within our means, and that’s what we are trying to do here,” Davis said.

The budget

The FY 2015-16 budget will raise $23.5 million more in revenue from property taxes than the FY 2014-15 budget.

The budget includes $675.4 million in general fund resources, most of which are derived from property taxes, according to budget documents.

Eckhardt said departments worked together to meet the county’s needs.

“It’s a very collaborative group that looks for solutions and partnership … in figuring out how to meet the mission,” Eckhardt said.

The county is slated to adopt its FY 2015-16 tax rate on Oct. 6. The county’s proposed tax rate of 41.69 cents per $100 of taxable value is a decrease from the existing tax rate of 45.63 cents per $100 of taxable valuation. Home values increased to certified $262,520 in this year’s certification information, compared with last year’s certified $240,026, according to budget documents.

The new tax rate is nearly four cents lower than the current tax rate, which will result in a decrease of approximately 79 cents on the average taxable homestead, said Jessica Rio, County Executive, planning and budget. Residents who are 65 years of age and older or disabled will see a benefit of about $21 as a result of an exemption that the county increased by $5,000. In early August, Rio had said staff’s original tax rate recommendation would result in an estimated tax impact of about $22 on the average taxable homestead.

In the same meeting the commissioners court voted to reinstate in-person visits for prisoners at county jail facilities. The court also is slated to vote on Central Health's FY 2015-16 budget of $295.8 million and tax rate of 11.7781 cents per $100 of valuation. Central Health is Travis County's health care district.

The commissioners court also plans to hold a major bond election this year asking voters to approve funds for a new civil and family courts complex in downtown Austin.

The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.