Get ready to head to the polls, Austinites. Early voting is underway now through Friday, Oct. 31 — with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4 — for the November 2025 Special Election.
The main issue on the ballot is Proposition Q: A proposed tax rate increase of roughly 20% to ~57.4 cents per $100 of taxable value, which was reflected in the City’s $6.3 billion budget. For context, last year’s tax rate was ~47.8 cents per $100 valuation.
If approved, the increased tax rate would generate $109.5 million against an existing $33.4 million budget shortfall, and it would go down as the biggest tax increase in ATX in the last 20+ years.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what Prop Q means.
What’s the reasoning for a tax increase?
According to The City of Austin, the increase is meant to expand funding for housing affordability programs, parks and recreation services, public health and safety, and “general fund maintenance.”
Here’s a breakdown of the intended use of the funding:
- $35.5 million for housing affordability and homelessness programs
- Specific expenditures include: $12 million for 350 new Rapid Rehousing units, $8.4 million for new emergency shelter beds and supportive services, and $3 million to expand the Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link initiative.
- $22.6 million for public safety, mental health response, and support for victims of crime
- Specific expenditures include: $3.1 million for the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, $2.6 million for 24 new positions in the Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Basic Life Support response units, and $2.5 million for 22 new positions in the Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services mental health crisis response team.
- $10 million for responding to climate change and parkland investments
- Specific expenditures include: $6 million for 60 new positions and parks maintenance, $1.3 million for natural land restoration and wildlife prevention, and $1 million for wildfire mitigation + education.
- $7.7 million for public health, workforce development, and community recreation
- Specific expenditures include: $1.9 million in one-time funding for workforce development programs like the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps, and $1.6 million in one-time funding for core public health grants.
- $1.3 million for City of Austin employee benefits
- Specific expenditures include: $800,000 in one-time funding for a one-time $500 stipend for certain employees, and $300,000 in Bad Weather Pay for frontline employees.
If Prop Q is approved, what will it cost?
The tax increase will vary depending on assessed home value. For example, the estimated increase for the median home valued at $494,803 would be $302.68. Read the Taxpayer Impact Statement.
If it’s rejected, what will happen?
If voters decide to reject Prop Q, the property tax rate will move forward at ~52.4 cents per $100 of taxable value (~4.6 cents higher than last year), and the City will not collect the $109.5 million in revenue it budgeted for. In this case, City Council will need to revisit the budget to evaluate cuts.
In this case, the median Austin property owner’s bill will increase by $104.76 based on a home valued at $494,803.
Check this page to find a polling location near you.
