Austin, TX - Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax presented a $5.9 billion proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Mayor and City Council today, July 12. This budget prioritizes community-focused investments in critical areas such as affordable, equitable housing and sustainable, resilient city services. It also looks to the future by investing in generational projects, such as the expansion of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center, and continued investment to strengthen critical mobility and utility infrastructure.

“As federal funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expire and growth in sales tax collections slows, municipalities across the state are finally experiencing the harsh consequences of the property tax cap established by the Texas Legislature. Austin is no exception.,” Broadnax said. “That means we must prioritize critical needs, be circumspect in our investments, and, now more than ever, listen to what Austinites want and need from their City government.”

The City of Austin Fiscal Year 2025 proposed budget is:

• Austin Focused – Prioritizing investments that reflect the principles of the community Austin strives to be: Livable, Affordable, Equitable, Sustainable, Resilient, and Welcoming.
• Frontline Focused – Improving essential City services Austinites need and expect that keep our city safe, clean and an attractive, dynamic place to live.
• Future Focused – Managing financial uncertainty through strategic financial stewardship, including maintaining sufficient reserves, and continuing to invest in generational projects vitally important to Austin’s future success, sustainability and economic prosperity.  

Budget Highlights:

• $3.6 million for the “I Belong Austin” tenant stabilization and eviction assistance program.
• $121.2 million in planned capital spending for design and construction of voter-approved long-term affordable housing projects.
• $2.7 million in one-time funding as well as $440,000 in ongoing funding across several City departments to support Austin Civilian Conservation Corps programming.
• $2.6 million in personnel and equipment costs, including funding for 28 sworn positions, for the Canyon Creek Fire/EMS Station, scheduled to open January 2025.
• $2.2 million in planned capital spending for projects that stabilize, preserve and enhance the African American Cultural Heritage District, Red River Cultural District, 5th Street Mexican Heritage Corridor, and East Cesar Chavez District.
• $506,000 for an additional street repair team to improve the condition of the City's street network.
•  $463,000, including additional personnel, to investigate complaints of criminal illegal dumping. 
• Six staff positions and funding to open and operate the new Colony Park District pool, the rebuilt Givens pool, and the expanded Mexican-American Cultural Center.
• $425,000 increase in funding for food, medical supplies, and facility maintenance at the Austin Animal Center and $30,000 one-time funding for animal boarding services to address capacity concerns.
• Nearly $200,000 to implement a new website tool for accurate, culturally competent translation in many languages on the City of Austin website. 

Impact on Taxpayers

The proposed property tax rate is 44.93 cents per $100 of taxable value. The typical Austin homeowner will still see an increase of $8.52 per month, or $102.26 per year, in the City’s portion of their annual property tax bill. 

The City’s rates and fees, including for electricity, trash service, water, drainage, and the transportation user fee, are proposed to rise in response to escalating operations costs, as well as increasing service demands from a growing population. The projected increase for the typical Austin tax-and ratepayer is $22.70 per month, or $272.42 per year.  
 

Community Budget Input Meetings will take place over the next few weeks and City Council will have the opportunity to review and initiate amendments to the proposed budget before final adoption, which is scheduled for August 14 through August 16, although it may not take all three days.

• Proposed Budget – Taxpayer Impact Statement
• Proposed Budget – Full Document
• Proposed Budget – City Manager’s Message 

The budget presentation to Council was broadcast live and will be available on ATXN’s archive. To learn more about the City’s Budget development process, and get involved, visit AustinTexas.Gov/Budget.