Austin City Council approves Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Aug. 14, 2024
Contact: Communications and Public Information Office 512-974-2220Email

The Austin City Council has adopted a $5.9 billion community-focused budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

The Austin City Council has adopted a $5.9 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 that supports community-focused investments.

Council's adopted budget incorporates the Austin City Manager's proposed budget presented last month, while adding a number of investments and directions to address homelessness, public safety, parks maintenance and sustainability.

"Austin's 2024-2025 budget is a strategic blueprint that balances the city's immediate needs with long-term vision, prioritizing investments that reflect the values and aspirations of our community," Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said. "By focusing on sustainability, equity and resilience, we are committed to ensuring that Austin remains a livable and welcoming city for all."

The General Fund budget is $1.4 billion and the Capital Budget includes $2.2 billion in planned spending.

Budget Highlights

The following investments were originally proposed by the City Manager and are now included in the adopted FY 2024-25 budget:

• $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. 

Council Amendments

Council members also approved several amendments and directives as part of the adopted FY 2024-25 budget, including increased investments to support:

• Improved maintenance of City parks
• Homelessness response and prevention
• Expanded Emergency Medical Services
• Adoption and foster services at the Austin Animal Center
• Downtown Austin Community Court mobile court program

Impact on Taxpayers

The adopted property tax rate is 47.76 cents per $100 of taxable value. The typical Austin homeowner will see an increase of $15.67 per month, or $188.02 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, will rise in response to escalating operations costs, as well as increasing service demands from a growing population. The increase for the typical Austin tax-and ratepayer is $30.16 per month, or $361.92 per year.

Council's approval today of City tax and spending plans for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, comes after several months of stakeholder engagement - including district community meetings, public hearings on the budget, and a public survey.

The approved budget document is scheduled to be published by October 1, 2024.