AUSTIN, Texas — Austin City Council is preparing to vote this week on a historic $6.6 billion budget that includes a property tax revenue increase and major spending on public safety, even as the city proposes millions of dollars in cuts to social services.
The city is proposing the maximum 3.5% increase in property tax revenue allowed without voter approval. The additional revenue would help support city services, with public safety taking the largest share.
Austin Fire, EMS and police are slated to receive almost $1 billion, making up nearly two-thirds of the general fund.
Elena Thompto, an Austinite, said she believes the public safety investment is important, particularly after recent violence in the city, including the Buford’s shooting in March.
“I think it’s very important, especially just due to some of the recent things that have happened, right? Like shootings and also like over at the library,” Thompto said.
At the same time, the proposed budget would cut more than $5 million from social service contracts, including childhood programs, food assistance and other safety-net services.
City Council member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri of District 9 said he wants to restore as much of that funding as possible before the final vote, “wanting to make that we are looking at social service cuts, making sure that we are able to replenish as many of those service cuts as possible.”
Voting is expected to happen between Wednesday and Friday.