The big picture
City Council called to develop a new bond last year to address a broad range of civic upgrades, including climate and environmental initiatives. The resident-led Bond Election Advisory Task Force, or BEATF, has now been working for months to review different city departments' needs and public feedback, while more than 2,000 people recently participated in a community survey on potential bond projects.
A 2026 bond would be Austin's first comprehensive package across multiple spending areas since voters approved more than $900 million of new debt in 2018. Standalone mobility and housing bonds were also approved in the 2020s.
Around $1 billion from past programs had yet to be spent as of earlier this year, and the lagging or under-planned status of past initiatives in part led to the creation of the Capital Delivery Services office that's now overseeing current and future bond projects. City staff also previously stated Austin leaders should aim to hold comprehensive bond elections only every six years to allow for timely project development, spread out financial obligations and avoid voter fatigue.
The list will now be scaled down further over the months ahead before final recommendations are made to City Council.
"In August, staff will support the BEATF in the critical task of determining which projects and programs to recommend for voter consideration, and at what funding levels. As this work advances, the Initial Project Request List will be further refined through additional scoping, cost estimation, and community input, acknowledging that it remains a dynamic, living document," Boyles wrote in a July memo.
Each $100 million of bonds is expected to increase the typical Austin homeowner's annual property tax bill by over $14, according to the city; a $700 million package next year would add on roughly $100.
Zooming in
Broken down by department, Transportation and Public Works is seeking the most funding at more than $925 million—slightly more than all seven of Austin's 2018 bond propositions, including mobility, combined. TPW's request is led by $285 million for Complete Streets safety and accessibility upgrades; $194 million for citywide street improvements; and a slate of other mobility work, such as bridge rehabilitation, new sidewalks and urban trail development.
The next-highest department total comes from Watershed Protection at nearly $600 million, with several items proposed for drainage and stormwater infrastructure to address flooding and erosion. Separately, that department and the city's climate office are also seeking $300 million to buy up land for flood and wildfire mitigation, water quality protection, and recreational or agricultural uses.
More than $400 million is sought for parks and recreation, led by $100 million for increased parkland acquisition that's been declining under a new state law and a priority for some city officials this year. Other funding would go toward pool, senior center, park, playground and trail upgrades.
Other requests above $200 million came from Fleet Services and the Austin Police Department. Most of the fleet request is for a new consolidated service center totaling $245 million, plus three new fuel stations around the city for about $10 million each. APD is seeking just over $240 million for five new police substations in different parts of town, a $100 million shared public safety training center and a new aircraft hangar.
More than $100 million each was requested by the fire and emergency medical services departments, the Austin Public Library system, and the city's new arts, music and culture office. Several other departments are seeking tens of millions of dollars each.
Staff's full initial project request list can be viewed below.
According to residents
The city's recent survey about the 2026 bond drew thousands of responses from locals about their desires for the package and its cost.
Based on survey results, residents prioritized both transportation and housing and homelessness as the city's greatest needs to address. Those subject areas were followed by parks, public safety, flood protection and water quality, climate investments, and public facilities.
While it ranked lower as an individual category, more than 4 in 5 responses said climate and sustainability considerations are a "very or somewhat important" component of all potential bond projects.
"Tax-related skepticism and budget accountability" was reported across many survey responses as well, with nearly one-third of respondents saying they wouldn't support any tax increase.
Staff also said the recent survey likely didn't represent the city as a whole and suggested different outreach in the coming months.
"The average survey’s respondent demographic skews toward higher-income, white homeowners, highlighting underrepresentation of lower-income Austinites and historically underserved communities. This gap presents an opportunity for future engagement phases to build an even broader and inclusive participation across Austin," they wrote.
What's next
Austinites will have more chances to weigh in on their desired bond projects during upcoming BEATF meetings and public town halls throughout the summer and fall. Residents can also still submit their own project ideas for consideration.
The task force and city staff will continue work on final bond recommendations to present to council members next spring. City Council will have to call a bond election by early August 2026 for a vote next November.
More information about the 2026 bond development is available online.
