The big picture
The Travis County $2.2 billion preliminary budget was published July 28—roughly 12% more than the fiscal year 2024-25 adopted budget—outlining priorities for the coming year as County Commissioners move closer to a final vote on the FY 2025-26 budget in September.
The budget includes funding for a variety of county responsibilities, such as:
- Essential administrative and operational costs
- Justice system
- Health and Human Services
- Community and economic development
- Corrections and rehabilitation
- Public safety
- Infrastructure
Travis County officials in late July proposed a measure to implement a one-year, 9% property tax increase to help cover costs from recent severe flooding.
The county has effectively zeroed out its $15 million emergency reserve funds to accommodate unexpected costs from the July 2025 flooding event, including debris removal and the construction of temporary road repairs.
Additionally, county staff dedicating over 24,000 in hours to flood response—an estimated $1.5 million cost to the county.
“This year’s preliminary budget was at the final steps of being finalized when the July 2025 severe weather and flooding disaster occurred, resulting in loss of life and substantial and unprecedented amount of damage impacting our community,” a letter from the budgeting office stated to Commissioners.
The approved tax rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year is roughly three cents higher per $100 of property value, at $0.375845 per $100 valuation.
For the average homeowner—properties valued around $515,213—this means their county tax bill will go up by about $200, with around $72 of that tied to recovery costs from the July flooding disaster.
Though the county is pursuing assistance from FEMA, reimbursements have historically taken years. After the 2018 severe flooding near Lake Travis, the county requested $242,000 in aid but received only about half—and did not receive those funds for nearly five years, Budget Director Travis Gatlin said.
This current tax increase is a one-time disaster-related increase and will raise around $42 million set aside in a special emergency reserve, according to county documents.
“I think that's important for people to understand that we are trimming our budget. We are being extremely cautious and responsible about how we're using public dollars,” Commissioner Brigid Shea said. “I think it’s worth noting, for people to understand, how we're trimming things in order to accommodate the unexpected costs of the flood.”
Related highlights
The county recently outlined an $86 million earmark in the FY 2025-26 budget intended for future jail diversion and preventative services.
The mental health diversion center, spearheaded by Judge Andy Brown, will be an alternative to jail for people who commit nonviolent crimes and suffer from mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
Project leaders are currently evaluating potential sites and preparing to define the range of services the facility will provide, according to an update Aug. 20.
In a separate request, county staff members asked Commissioners to consider additional funding to support staff for the elections division in light of the recent mid-decade redistricting decision by state law makers.
Travis County’s elections department has requested $2.4 million in additional funding to address the complex demands of redistricting ahead of the November 2025 General Election, the 2026 Primary Election, and the 2026 Primary Runoff.
Because of limited time to redraw precinct maps, staff anticipate the need for rapid adjustments. The request covers one-time costs for additional personnel, locating and securing polling sites, ensuring election compliance, coordinating administrative tasks and community outreach.
Other interesting highlights
Travis County’s proposed budget includes $54 million for the purchase of three new STAR Flight helicopters, with county leaders also considering pay raises for STAR Flight staff.
The STAR Flight program not only serves Travis County but is also utilized by state agencies and neighboring jurisdictions for emergency medical transport, search and rescue and disaster response.
The budget also makes noteworthy investments in the justice system to support the new Counsel on First Appearance program, including more than $1.4 million for Public Defender’s Office staffing and attorney pay adjustments, along with $4.6 million for pretrial services, court staffing and technology upgrades to ensure defendants receive timely legal counsel at their first court appearance.
Travi County Commissioners will formally adopt the increase tax rate Sept 23 and the budget Sept 30.
Anyone interested in sharing feedback on the proposed budget can sign up to speak during Travis County’s public comment period, where residents have the opportunity to voice concerns and priorities.
Find more information here.
