A typical Austin tax-and-ratepayer is projected to pay an additional $285.84 a year after City Council adopted a $6.6 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The city’s estimate works out at $23.82 a month. Of that, $9.48 comes from the adopted property-tax rate, while another $14.34 reflects increases in rates and fees covering services including electricity, water, trash, drainage and the clean community fee.

The figures were published by the City of Austin after council members approved a spending package covering housing, public safety, transport, parks and other services.

What is included in Austin’s budget?

The overall $6.6 billion package includes a $1.5 billion General Fund and $4.3 billion in planned capital spending. Those figures represent different parts of the city’s finances and should not be read as a single pot of day-to-day spending.

Among the measures highlighted by the city are:

  • $7.8 million for local housing vouchers;
  • a $6 million increase for permanent supportive-housing services;
  • $33 million in planned transport and public-works safety improvements;
  • $6 million in additional Fire Department overtime funding;
  • $1.4 million to create an Office of Joint Emergency Communications; and
  • $1.5 million for a citywide efficiency audit.

The package also includes a $5.8 million reduction in software and information-technology support costs, which the city attributes to centralization and savings from reviewing its applications.

Housing, homelessness and emergency services

Council amendments restored social-service contract funding for another year and provided $300,000, along with three positions, for street and outreach work through Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations.

Other approved capital plans include $3 million for Austin Animal Services facilities and $500,000 to expand the Violet KeepSafe Storage program.

The city said its $285.84 household estimate does not include $36 million in capital spending that will be issued over time as projects require funding.

The final approved budget document is scheduled to be available through the City of Austin website on October 1. Residents can read the City of Austin’s announcement and supporting budget information.