The City Council set stricter guidelines for mid-year budget amendments at the April 10 meeting. The ordinance passed 7-0.

"I just felt this was a way of strengthening—tightening [the process] up a little bit," said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The revised policy limits the scenarios for budget amendments outside of the budget process. Some of those scenarios include when there are verifiable costs or risks from delaying action or where funding is required to address extraordinary circumstances such as a natural disaster.

Some council members raised concerns about making the limitations too stringent and thus hindering the council's ability to make needed decisions.

"I really think we need to have the flexibility to make appropriate adjustments, and I'm fine with that being done mid-year when costs can be offset by new revenue," said Councilman Chris Riley.