AUSTIN, Texas — Austin City Council members are set to make final decisions on a $6.6 billion city budget that could affect what residents pay in property taxes, utility rates and fees; and which city services see increases or cuts.
Council members will meet at City Hall in downtown Austin as they begin final votes on the proposed $6.6 billion budget. The decisions include the city budget itself, property taxes, and utility rates and fees.
The city is proposing the maximum 3.5% increase in property-tax revenue allowed without voter approval. Council members are also deciding how that money is allocated and what gets cut.
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“I know folks are here and they’re saying we should fund this and we should fund that, and I agree, but we are very limited in what we can fund in the funds that we have available, and that’s just the reality that we’re facing,” said Jose “Chito” Vela, Austin City Council member for District 4.
Under the proposed budget, large portions go toward Austin Energy and water. Transportation and public works make up a much smaller portion.
About 22% of the proposed budget, roughly $1.5 billion, is the city’s general fund. Within that, police, fire and EMS account for the majority, with nearly $1 billion going to those public safety entities.
A smaller section of the general fund is dedicated to social services, and the proposed budget includes millions of dollars in cuts to those contracts.
Voting is expected between today and Friday.