About $4 million will fund one-time initiatives that address child care, public safety and homelessness rather than going into the city's savings account.
Austin will send about $4 million less to its savings account next fiscal year. That money will instead fund several one-time initiatives that address child care, public safety and homelessness.the Austin City Council passed Wednesday for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The budget includes funding for several other items, including additional staff for the animal center and parks departments, city staff pay raises and about $50 million for land acquisition.It comes at a price to Austin residents.
But some council members and Mayor Kirk Watson were against not putting the money in savings. They said that not only violated the city’s policy of putting at least 17% of its budget into its savings account, but also meant less money to use in an emergency.“I have no problem with the things folks want to invest in here. These are all worthy programs. I am concerned we have a lot of things ahead of us.
Council Member Paige Ellis said the money has also come in handy during recent natural disasters and that the city can’t rely on funding from FEMA. Wednesday’s adoption marks the end of several weeks of debate among council members about which programs to fund. The city had been working with a tight budget, which city officials tied to flat sales tax revenue and changes to the property tax rules that cap how much a city can increase the rate.said he learned a lot about Austin and what the city's needs are. He said he would continue to find ways to meet the needs of the community.
“I am excited about this year’s budget,” he said. “There are a few things in there for the community as well as staff for the people who do the work. We do have some challenges ahead of us but there is always a way through difficult times.”Travis County commissioners voted to put a tax rate hike on the ballot. If approved, it could cost the average homeowner an additional $126 annually.
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