Balanced Budget Presented to Austin City Council

Austin, TX - City council members got their first look at the proposed budget for next year. They said it's good news and included some major changes from a version proposed in April.

City auditors said the budget is balanced at $650 million thanks to increased tax revenues and trimming by some departments.

Mark Ott, city manager, said this is the first time in several years the budget will not apply the maximum property tax rate the city could establish.

If council members approve this budget, property tax rates would go up one 1.9 percent from the current rate -- that's about four dollars a month for a median-priced home.

Since April when the forecast was first presented, staff trimmed $9 million while also making key additions. Those include 48 APD officers, 30 EMS paramedics and 10 fire fighters. Pay raises for both union and non-union workers were also included in the budget.

Some reductions were made including the elimination of 11 vacant positions and repurposing 10 others. Programs like the LBJ Fire Academy will also be discontinued.

City staff say after several exercises with the public, including an online survey, it was determined public safety was a top priority.

There are still several work sessions and public hearings ahead on the budget before it's finally voted on in September.