Overview
- City Manager T.C. Broadnax presented the $6.6 billion operating budget on Thursday, July 16, as the starting point for weeks of council work sessions and public hearings ahead of adoption beginning Aug. 12.
- The plan uses the maximum tax-cap allowed without an election by proposing a 3.5% increase plus higher utility and service fees that the city estimates will cost the typical Austin tax-and-ratepayer about $345.95 a year.
- Budget documents show a $5.1 million reduction to social service contracts while moving shelter contracts into the Homeless Strategies and Operations department, which increases that department’s budget from roughly $10 million to nearly $32 million.
- Public-safety budgets rise with a $24.2 million boost for the Austin Police Department to $549.6 million and targeted firefighter and EMS investments including restored fire overtime, 32 new sworn firefighter positions, and increased EMS overtime funding.
- Labor leaders praised a 3% cost-of-living raise for civilian employees but community groups and some council members criticized the mix of higher police spending and social-service cuts, and the council may amend priorities during the August adoption window.