City Council's budget amendments cover issues such as parks management, public safety and city planning. Many would add to the city's overall $5.9 billion spending plan laid out earlier this summer. Council members have the next week to decide which items should receive funding and how much, as Austin looks ahead to tighter financial times.
“There’s certainly a gap between the totality of these requests and the funding that’s available," Austin Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo told council Aug. 8.
After several recent briefings on different aspects of the budget, council's Aug. 8 work session centered on the dozens of targeted changes officials hope to make for the next fiscal year.
Parks and environment
One of the largest items, aimed at Austin's response to climate change, comes from council member Ryan Alter who's seeking to lay the groundwork for an estimated $50 million in land acquisition, supported by city debt.
Ryan Alter has been a proponent of a new city investment plan for environmental and sustainability initiatives, including a future bond package that's now being developed. With that work underway, Ryan Alter proposed taking advantage of favorable market conditions today to buy up parkland and other natural spaces.
"We know that we find ourselves in a unique market situation where prices are down, and we have departments that have fully utilized their 2018 bond funding, and so this is an opportunity to provide that bridge to whatever the one or two years into the future we have for our bond program," Ryan Alter said.
Officials are also seeking to boost maintenance work across Austin's parks system with 16 new staff positions, as the city remains well below national service standards.
At a neighborhood level, council member Chito Vela is seeking to add new portable spaces at the Gustavo "Gus" L. Garcia Recreation Center to support senior programming, and council member Paige Ellis wants to pilot a new dog park in Southwest Austin.
Homelessness
Another area that could see notable funding is the city's response to homelessness. With significant shortfalls in both short- and long-term housing units, officials are eyeing millions in investments for permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing and shelter space. That funding could eventually help replace the upcoming loss of 300 temporary beds at the Marshalling Yard.
Council could also continue the city's partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance on a new street outreach program as well as dedicate more funding to help both homeless families and those on the brink of homelessness.
Public safety
Targeted Emergency Medical Services programs have been items of interest in council's budget review so far, with some in line for funding such as:
- A permanent EMS command downtown to respond to high call volumes, especially in entertainment districts on the weekend
- Enhancement to the Counter Assault Strike Team Paramedics, or CASTMED, tactical team that provides medical assistance at crime scenes before police arrive
- An enhanced EMS presence at the airport
- A pilot program for a new EMS unit at The Domain shopping center in North Austin
Council member Alison Alter requested funding for extended maternity leave and added overtime provisions for the fire force, and Ryan Alter is looking to add another AFD cadet training class for $1.75 million to help improve staffing levels and scheduling.
Officials are also seeking funding for several community violence intervention programs and staff positions.
Also of note
Other council requests include:
- $1.3 million to continue Austin's family stabilization grant program—offering guaranteed monthly payments to low-income households—for another year
- $500,000 for logistical support for Austinites traveling out of state for abortion care
- $180,000 to begin the planning process for a new LGBTQ+ community center
- Beginning an update to the outdated Downtown Austin Plan
- Making Juneteenth fireworks a permanent fixture in the city
Another viewpoint
In a different approach, council member Mackenzie Kelly has called to limit tax impacts on residents by cutting tens of millions from the budget blueprint. Her edits would eliminate several city offices, end some programming and freeze raises in City Council offices.
"This will help everyone—homeowners, families, renters, businesses and all Austinites," Kelly wrote on council's message board. "It does not require us to make severe cuts, just to get creative with our revenue sources and prioritize our highest needs."
Kelly is recovering following a medical emergency earlier this week, according to her office, and wasn't present to address her nearly two dozen proposals Aug. 8.
Some officials signaled they wouldn't support her proposed cuts, which they said would counter established city programs and priorities.
What to expect
Regardless of which amendments are voted up, Austin's next budget will be supported by higher taxes than initially expected.
In July, City Manager T.C. Broadnax's budget outline was based on an FY 2024-25 property tax rate of $0.4493 per $100 valuation. However, that figure was released before local property appraisal rolls were completed.
With that information finalized in late July—and total values slightly lower than expected—city officials are now considering a tax rate of $0.4776 per $100 of property value. That's about 6.3% more than first proposed and the highest Austin can consider without requiring an election for voter approval.
That new rate translates to an annual tax bill increase of about $188 for the owner of a median-valued home, versus the $102 increase initially laid out.
