Shaping Austin’s Future: Engage in the 2025-2026 City Budget Process
Each year, the Austin City Manager proposes a budget that the City Council approves in mid-August. The process begins in late February to allow time for community, staff, and stakeholder engagement.
This is T.C. Broadnax’s first full budget cycle as city manager. He kicked it off with a town hall on February 24, where Austinites shared concerns about public safety, 911 response times, and homelessness. Broadnax emphasized that while the city faces funding challenges, he prioritizes these key areas.
In February, Broadnax sent a memo to city department directors asking them to identify 5% of their department’s operating budget that could be cut if needed. This directive specifically targets community services or programs that are no longer necessary or are redundant. It highlights the fiscal challenges the city is facing in remaining financially sustainable.
The city budget significantly impacts our industry by determining funding for public safety, homelessness response, property tax rates, and fees, all of which affect property owners' costs.
Given the current budget constraints, it’s even more crucial for us to advocate for continued funding for essential services like public safety, homelessness response, affordable housing, and other subsidies offered by the city that benefit both tenants and property owners.
There are additional opportunities to provide input: filling out the city’s survey (linked below) or attending an upcoming budget town hall.
- Monday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. – Asian American Resource Center
- Saturday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. (Hybrid) – Learning Resource Center (Online option available)
- Thursday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. – Northwest Recreation Center