AUSTIN, Texas — Austin residents got a closer look Saturday at the city’s proposed $6.6 billion budget as officials gathered public input ahead of the City Council’s vote later this month.
City staff hosted a budget town hall at City Hall to explain the proposed spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in October and answer questions from residents.
The proposal would increase property tax revenue by 3.5% to help address a projected $26 million budget deficit.
Residents raised questions about transportation funding, affordable housing and the process for proposing budget amendments.
They also asked whether the proposed budget could change before the council adopts it.
Kerri Lang, the city’s director of Budget and Organizational Excellence, said council members continue to discuss which social service contracts they could restore through budget amendments and which areas they would prioritize.
Council members have two additional budget meetings scheduled for Aug. 4 and Aug. 6 before they vote on the final spending plan the following week.