UPDATE: The Austin City Council is in a tight spot, urgently working to revise their budget following the rejection of Proposition Q by voters. The failed property tax hike would have generated an additional $110 million, leaving officials scrambling to address significant funding shortfalls. A critical vote on a revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget is expected during their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 21.
City leaders are grappling with the implications of this setback. If passed, the new budget will feature substantial cuts, including over $38 million from social services, $6 million from emergency medical services (EMS), and $5 million from parks. Additionally, at least $1 million will be slashed from both public health and fire services.
In a memo released earlier this week, Mayor Kirk Watson directed City Manager T.C. Broadnax to prioritize funding for essential services, particularly EMS, homelessness assistance, and outreach teams for individuals facing psychiatric crises. The council’s budget discussions on Wednesday marked a pivotal moment as they sought to balance community needs against fiscal realities.
During the budget work session, Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo reported ongoing efforts to streamline information technology across city departments to reduce expenses. Furthermore, Mayor Watson announced plans to seek bids for an independent audit of city financials to enhance transparency.
One of the suggestions raised during the meeting came from Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, who proposed cutting travel expenses, which amount to approximately $1 million across all departments. Broadnax also outlined a vision for a city data hub by 2026, aimed at improving public access to information about budget cuts and changes.
Community voices were amplified during a public hearing on Wednesday afternoon, where residents expressed their priorities for budget adjustments. Public safety emerged as a critical issue, with one speaker urging the council to reduce police budget vacancies and reallocate those funds to vital social services and EMS. Another speaker emphasized the necessity of overtime funding to ensure ambulances remain adequately staffed to serve the community.
The deadline for council members to submit budget amendments was also on Wednesday. Proposed amendments include funding for off-hours emergency care for animals, support for abused children residing outside of Travis County, and additional pay for essential employees during inclement weather.
If the budget is not approved on Thursday, the council has scheduled special meetings on Friday, November 21; Monday, November 24; and Tuesday, November 25 to finalize the financial plan.
As the city grapples with these urgent budgetary decisions, the ramifications for essential services and community support will be felt across Austin. The outcome of this meeting is crucial for determining the future of public safety, health services, and community welfare initiatives.
