07.24.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

💸 It’s in the budget

Breaking down Austin’s 2023-2024 proposed city budget

Trees and a bench along the shore of Lady Bird Lake.

Beautification of public spaces is on the agenda for the next year’s budget. | Photo by ATXtoday

Jesús Garza, the City of Austin’s interim city manager, recently proposed a $5.5 billion city budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The proposed budget is $500 million higher than last year’s and focuses on going “back to basics,” prioritizing “affordability, resiliency, quality of life, public safety, and ending homelessness.”

If this budget is passed, the average Austin homeowner is likely to see a ~1.5% increase in their tax bills, which equates to $2.16 per month or $25.91 per year.

Here’s what’s in the budget:

A pie chart showing where city funds are directed. — Austin Water and Austin Energy make up about 41% of all city spending.
|
Graphic via City of Austin

Two departments — Austin Energy and Austin Water — make up 41% of the city’s total budget, taking 28% (~$1.54 billion) and 13% (~$715 million) respectively.

The city’s General Fund — which supports Austin Parks and Recreation, the Austin Public Library system, the Austin Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, and more — makes up 24% (or $1.3 billion) of the operational budget.

The remaining 35% of the budget is comprised of reserve, debt retirement, internal services, and other enterprise funds.

Where does the money come from?

ATX_CityBudget — Much of the budget is funded by utility charges and property taxes.
|
Graphic via the City of Austin

In short, everyday household bills and taxes. Water and electricity charges account for 42% (or $2.22 billion) of generated revenue, taxes make up 31% (or $1.64 billion), and the remaining revenue comes from fines, fees, permits, and service charges.

What’s next?

Austin City Council will ask the public for input several times before adopting the budget in August. City Council’s next budget meeting is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26 and will include a period for public comment.

Until then, you can read the full plan for yourself, read budget questions and answers, or review our breakdown of last year’s budget.

See new investments

Events

Monday, July 24

Drink Up deal: Terrazzo Tea | Wednesday, July 26-Monday, July 31 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Terrazzo Tea, 1923 E. 7th St., Austin | Free | When you stop Terrazzo Tea, tell them ATXtoday sent you and you’ll get 15% off your order through July.

Tuesday, July 25

Intro to Contemporary Dance Choreography | Tuesday, July 25-Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 10-11 a.m. | Ballet Austin’s Butler Center for Dance & Fitness, 501 W. 3rd St., Austin | $99 | Take part in a four-week workshop revolving choreography in a blend of multiple styles.

Wednesday, July 26

Barbie-themed Drag Queen Bingo Party | Wednesday, July 26 | 7 p.m. | Lefty’s Brick Bar, 1813 C E. 6th St., Austin | Free | Catch Louisianna Purchase at this free-to-play bingo event and reverse happy hour.
Keb’ Mo’ | Wednesday, July 26 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35-$60 | Absorb Keb’ Mo’s GRAMMY-winning, 50-year strong music career.

Thursday, July 27

Music in the Garden | Thursday, July 27 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $3-$8 | Catch Nik Parr live at this outdoor concert.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

Upgrade your coffee routine with these brands

One of our favorites: Methodical Coffee, perfect for those looking for complex and original flavor profiles. | Photo via Methodical Coffee + Six & Main

Put down the chain coffee and cozy up to these thoughtfully crafted coffee brands. Plus, get 20% off your first purchase.

Stop and smell the roses: Methodical Coffee’s Pink Lady

Tastes bright and chocolatey

Fuel your creative fire: Blanchard’s Midnight Oil

Tastes dark and sweet

Revitalize your whole body: a|dash’s Ashwagandha-Infused Cold Brew

Tastes smooth and earthy

Invite quiet focus: Loveland Coffee’s Guatemala Decaf K-Cups

Tastes full-bodied and caramelly

Shop all Six & Main coffee

News Notes

Civic

Austin City Council voted to convert a warehouse called Marshalling Yard into a temporary homeless shelter. The southeast Austin facility, which is expected to cost $9 million to rework, will have 300 beds and become a shelter for one year. (Austin American-Statesman)

Community

Austin Parks and Recreation issued a Parks Burning Restriction to minimize wildfire risk in the city’s green spaces until further notice. The restriction prohibits grilling and building fires at City of Austin parks, greenbelts, and preserves, and is punishable by up to $500 in fines.

Event

In the wake of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike, the Austin Film Society’s “Dazed and Confused” 30th anniversary celebration will be scaled back. The cast of the film will no longer attend the commemorative baseball game, and the screening has been postponed indefinitely. (The Austin Chronicle)

Feel Good

Retired Lockhart ISD staff member Connie Amaya gave out her 2,000th free backpack as part of her five-year-old backpack drive on Saturday, July 22. Amaya finances the drive with her own retirement money and prepares for each drive months in advance. (KVUE)

Ranked

Childcare in Travis County is the most expensive in the state, according to the National Database of Childcare Prices and the US Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau. It’s estimated that childcare cost between $8,000 and $12,000 annually in 2022.

Opening

Gabriela’s Group — the company behind pink hangouts Revival Coffee and Taquero Mucho — will open its newest concept this week. Bar and nightclub Mala Fama, located at 422 E. 6th St., spans 11,000 sqft across three floors and will open its doors at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 28.

Try This

Two Hands, a Los Angeles-based Korean corn dog chain restaurant, will open its first Austin-area location on Friday, July 28 at 201 University Oaks Blvd. in Round Rock. The spot is known for its elaborate corn dogs, fries, and boba drinks. (Eater Austin)

Featured Deal

Farmhouse Delivery is offering ATXtoday readers 20% off their first order any time between now and April 2024. Get the best of local, organic Texas produce, meat, groceries delivered straight to your door — it will make your entire week. Use code ATXTODAY to activate the deal.*

Drink

💙 Try the Bluebonnet at Estelle’s

Drink Up Month: Try the Bluebonnet at Estelle’s

Two clear and blue drinks on the counter at Estelle's.

The Bluebonnet will only be offered for a limited time in celebration of Drink Up Month. | Photo by ATXtoday

You can stop and taste the flowers at Estelle’s this week.

In celebration of Drink Up Month, our homage to beverages and beverage-makers in Austin, ATXtoday joined forces with social lounge Estelle’s, 400 Colorado St., to create a limited-edition floral cocktail: the Bluebonnet.

Designed by Estelle’s lead mixologist Paul Ramon, the cocktail is an elevated take on a Phil Collins, topped with blueberry and spirulina tea to create a vibrant blue hue.

You can order the Bluebonnet at Estelle’s all this week, or make it for yourself by combining:

45ml of Bombay Sapphire gin
45ml of Boodles gin
15ml lemon juice
10ml sugar

Shake with soda and leave some room. Top with blueberry and spirulina tea, then garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel or flower.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

I’ve lived in Austin for more than 10 years and covered the city’s news for a little over three years, but even I learned something about the Capital City on an AO Tour.

City Editor London and I took one for ourselves, and we had a great time sitting back and enjoying the sights. We took the Arts & Architecture Tour, but there are six different tours to choose from.

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