Thursday, August 6, 2026
4 items · 3 passed · 0 failed · 0 postponed · 1 pending
Agenda PDF Legistar Official votes
Budget season is officially underway, and the fireworks came early. Council got its first real look at the City Manager's proposed FY 2026-2027 budget, and the room made itself heard — speaker after speaker pushed to keep the APD budget flat and to move 911 dispatch out of the police department. Staff floated an alternative that would steer $4.7 million in tax revenue toward social services and housing vouchers. Council members lined up a raft of proposed amendments and budget IFCs but held off on any votes, so nothing's settled yet — this is the opening round.
Council also teed up a busy November 3 ballot for Austin voters. They approved calling a general obligation bond election with two pieces — one for parks and recreation, one for library improvements — though Carver Museum ambassadors showed up asking that bond dollars be redirected to finish the expansion voters already approved back in 2022. Council likewise ordered the regular general election for Districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9, and a special election on proposed charter amendments, including a citizen-initiated one certified as sufficient in June. Those charter propositions got lettered C through J, and there was a notable back-and-forth over ballot order: Council Member Siegel wanted the citizen-initiated amendment placed after the city's own amendments, while the mayor pushed back against relegating the petition. Siegel asked to be recorded voting yes despite his stated preference. All three election items passed.
- 1 Results pendingunofficial
Presentation and discussion of the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget.
City Council takes up a presentation and discussion of the City Manager's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This is the kickoff conversation on how Austin plans to spend its money in the coming year, setting the stage for the priorities and trade-offs council weighs before final adoption.
"Presentation and discussion of the city manager's fiscal year 2026 2027 proposed budget"
- Numerous speakers urged keeping the APD budget flat and moving 911 out of APD
- Staff presented an alternative use of $4.7M tax revenue for social services and housing vouchers
- Council members laid out numerous proposed amendments and IFCs but took no vote
- 2 Passedunofficial
Approve an ordinance ordering a General Obligation Bond Election to be held on November 3, 2026, in the City of Austin, Texas on a proposed bond issue for Parks and Recreation, and Library improvements. Funding: Debt service on the General Obligation Bond Program will be funded through an annual property tax levy.
This item calls a General Obligation Bond Election for November 3, 2026, letting Austin voters decide on borrowing for Parks and Recreation and Library improvements. If approved by voters, the debt service on the bonds is funded through an annual property tax levy — meaning it shows up on your property tax bill. Putting the question on the ballot is what turns these proposed investments into something residents get a direct say on.
"Without objection, item number two is adopted unanimously"
- Item A designated parks and recreation, item B library improvements
- Carver Museum ambassadors asked to reallocate bond funds to complete the 2022 voter-approved expansion
- 3 Passedunofficial
Approve an ordinance ordering a general election to be held in the City of Austin on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing City Council Members (single member districts) for District 1, District 3, District 5, District 8, and District 9; providing for the conduct of the general election; authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency. Funding: Available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of the City Clerk.
This ordinance calls a general election on November 3, 2026, to elect City Council members for the single-member districts of District 1, District 3, District 5, District 8, and District 9. It also spells out how the election runs and lets the City Clerk enter joint election agreements with other local governments to keep things orderly. Funding comes from the City Clerk's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget.
"Without objection. Item number three is adopted unanimously"
- Council member Siegel moved approval, seconded by council member duchen
- 4 Passedunofficial
Approve an ordinance ordering a special election to be held in the City of Austin on November 3, 2026, to submit to the voters proposed charter amendments, including a citizen-initiated charter amendment certified sufficient on June 22, 2026; providing for the conduct of the special election; authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency. Funding: Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of the City Clerk.
This orders a special election on November 3, 2026, to let Austin voters weigh in on proposed charter amendments, including a citizen-initiated amendment that was certified as sufficient back in June. The item also authorizes the City Clerk to team up with other local governments on joint election agreements to keep things running smoothly. Funding comes from the City Clerk's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget.
"Without objection, the motion is adopted"
- Siegel preferred placing citizen-initiated amendment after city amendments; mayor disagreed with relegating the petition
- Charter propositions assigned letters C through J
- Siegel asked to be shown voting yes despite his stated preference