UPDATE: The Austin City Council is making urgent decisions today as they grapple with significant budget cuts following the rejection of Proposition Q by voters. This property tax hike would have generated an additional $110 million for the city, forcing council members to significantly revise the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget just approved in August.
A crucial vote on the revised budget is expected during the council’s regular meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2025. The proposed changes include cutting over $38 million from social services, $6 million from emergency medical services (EMS), $5 million from parks, and at least $1 million from both public health and fire services.
During a budget work session on Wednesday at City Hall, Mayor Kirk Watson directed City Manager T.C. Broadnax to prioritize funding for essential services including EMS, homelessness services, and outreach for individuals in psychiatric crisis. “The public wants more information,” Watson stated, emphasizing the need for transparency in city spending following the Prop Q defeat.
The council is also considering an outside audit of city expenditures to enhance accountability. Ed Van Eenoo, Austin’s Chief Financial Officer, mentioned efforts to streamline citywide information technology to cut costs. Additionally, council members discussed potential reductions in travel expenses, which total around $1 million across all departments.
Public feedback has been vocal, with safety concerns dominating discussions. Residents urged the council to reallocate funds from police budget vacancies to support vital services like social programs and EMS. “Overtime funding is crucial to keeping ambulances staffed to better serve the community,” one resident commented during a public hearing.
As of Wednesday, council members had until the end of the day to file budget amendments. Proposed changes include funding for off-hours emergency care for animals and support for abused children living outside Travis County.
If the council fails to approve a budget on Thursday, alternative meetings are scheduled for Friday, November 21, Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25 to finalize the budget. The urgency of this situation highlights the immediate impacts on social services and public safety in Austin, as residents and officials alike await the council’s critical decisions.
Stay tuned for updates as the city navigates these pressing challenges.
