City of AustinCronk said the overall outlook was buoyed by unexpected increases in sales taxes.during a pandemic-era rebound that sent $328 million into city coffers, nearly $50 million above projections.
The bulk of budget dollars in the general found would go toward police, fire and emergency services, with the three departments accounting for $785 million of the budget proposal. The general fund pays for all city services and operations. Of that fund, 35% is slated to go to the Austin Police Department, 18% to the Austin Fire Department and 9% to emergency services like Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. All told, APD will see another record-high allocation., state lawmakers passed a law banning cities and counties from reducing police budgets. That measure targeted Austin’s 2020 decision to cut its police budget and reallocate money toward alternatives to traditional policing.
The budget proposal also aims to raise the city's minimum wage from $15 an hour to $18. Cronk said he hopes a raise will help the city retain and recruit workers amid staffing shortages, and that it's in keeping with the Austin City Council's ultimate goal of paying city employees at least $22 an hour.
This is not, by any stretch, a final draft of the budget. The city will hold two meetings to gather input from Austin taxpayers, one on July 27 and another on Aug. 2. Districts 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10 will also have their own in-district opportunities for folks to weigh in. More information on those meetings is onAfter that, the budget will go to the Austin City Council in August for approval. The city's fiscal year starts Oct. 1.to support it. Your gift pays for everything you find on KUT.org.
Liberals screwing up the city. Easy to spend others money
Cut spending so taxes can decline. With more people, tax revenue should increase naturally as long as spending doesn’t rise too quickly.
AustinHasFallen
Was anything reduced?
They are going to stick it to you just in other areas. Just wait till city council gets a hold of this budget and starts talking with the woke buzzwords like, equity, equality and climate change.
Definitely not leaning on traffic tickets.