Thursday, July 16, 2026
2 items · 1 passed · 0 failed · 0 postponed · 1 pending
Agenda PDF Legistar Official votes
The big story was the first look at City Manager Broadnax's proposed FY 2026-2027 budget, and it's shaping up to be a tight one. Broadnax framed the whole thing around the state's 3.5% property tax cap and $13.3 million in general fund reductions, and plenty of Austinites showed up to make their feelings known. Public speaker after public speaker pushed back on cuts to social services and community violence intervention (CVI) programs, especially given that the APD budget grew by $25 million. Council also dug into some longer-term math, debating debt service that's projected to peak around 2030 and a declining property tax collection rate. No final direction on the budget itself yet — that conversation is very much ongoing.
On the procedural front, Council did lock in your chance to weigh in: they set a public hearing on the proposed budget for July 30 at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, inside a meeting that starts at 10 a.m. Council Member Ellis made the motion, Council Member Siegel seconded, and it passed. If you want to speak, mark your calendar — the Mayor noted speaker registration opens July 27 at 10 a.m. and closes July 29 at noon.
- 1 Results pendingunofficial
Presentation and discussion of the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget.
This is a presentation and discussion of the City Manager's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. It's the kicking-off point for the annual budget conversation, where council members and the public get their first look at how the city plans to spend its money in the coming year. Nothing's locked in yet — this is the discussion stage before any final decisions get made.
"we will go to item number one, which is the discussion of the proposed budget"
- City Manager Broadnax framed the budget around the state's 3.5% property tax cap and $13.3M in general fund reductions
- Numerous public speakers pushed back on cuts to social services and CVI programs while APD budget rose $25M
- Council debated debt service growth peaking around 2030 and declining property tax collection rates
- 2 Passedunofficial
Set a public hearing to receive and consider public comment on the proposed budget for the City for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. (Suggested date, time, and location: July 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 W. Second Street, Austin, Texas). Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
This item sets a public hearing where Austinites can weigh in on the city's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The hearing is slated for July 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 301 W. Second Street. Scheduling the hearing itself has no fiscal impact.
"without objection, the motion is adopted with council members Fuentes and harper-madison absent"
- Mayor clarified public hearing set for 3:00 p.m. July 30 within a meeting starting at 10 a.m.
- Motion made by council member Ellis, seconded by council member Siegel
- Mayor detailed speaker registration windows opening July 27 at 10 a.m. and closing July 29 at 12 p.m.