A lawsuit has been filed against Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and the entire city council over the wording used in a recent tax rate election.
The legal action follows the council’s approval of a $6.3 billion budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Plaintiffs argue that the language presented to voters in the tax rate measure is misleading, potentially impacting how residents understand the financial implications.
The concern centers on transparency and whether the ballot description accurately reflects the proposed changes.
The city council approved the budget last week, with the vote generating public debate. While no official statements have been made by Mayor Watson or city officials in response to the lawsuit, the matter adds pressure to ongoing discussions about fiscal management in Austin.