City Council is considering a tax rate election to address a $33 million deficit while proposing a budget of $6.3 million to fund essential services. The maximum proposed increase is 8 cents, raising average homeowner taxes by $421 annually. The budget includes a 3.5 percent increase, the state-mandated limit, requiring a voter election for any additional increase. If no election occurs, significant budget cuts could ensue, impacting services such as firefighter staffing and public health initiatives due to diminished federal funding and low sales tax revenue.
City Council considered a possible tax rate election to address Austin's $33 million deficit with a proposed budget of $6.3 million. The maximum increase could be 8 cents.
The current budget includes a 3.5 percent increase, adhering to state limits. Any larger increase necessitates a tax rate election.
Major budget shortfalls could lead to severe service cuts, such as reduced firefighter staffing and closures of key community programs like Recycled Reads.
Austin's financial challenges have stemmed from legislative actions and declining federal funds, significantly impacting services such as public health and local government operations.
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