Austin City Council held a budget work session Wednesday with a public comment period, covering a wide range of budget concerns—from parks and housing to public safety.
During the session, city staff went through detailed breakdowns of the $1.48 billion General Fund, covering core services like police, fire, parks, libraries, housing, public health, and animal services.
Tax Rate Election Discussion (.pdf file)
Notable allocations reviewed included:
- 4% pay raises for civilian staff and a new $22.05/hr living wage policy
- $8 million for homeless shelter operations, plus $4 million in emergency rental assistance
- Creation of a Human Rights Division, cold-weather shelter funding, and wildfire response investments
Several council members—especially Vanessa Fuentes and Ryan Alter—raised concerns that the budget represents a series of Band‑Aid fixes focusing on short-term balancing rather than long-term structural reform.
“There’s a lot that needs to be done, and unfortunately, not a lot of money to do it. We don’t have the money to continue to fund our parks, to fund homelessness programs or the other vital things people expect.” — Austin City Councilman Ryan Alter
Members probed into how much is being pulled from reserve funds, Structural sustainability of staffing cuts and overtime limits in public safety and long-term fiscal resilience amid forecasted revenue constraints. The session confirmed ongoing public support for increasing funding in homelessness, parks, and equity, but flagged concerns over the lack of long-term planning.
Council scrutiny has summed up into two major themes:
- Short-term balancing vs. long-term sustainability
- Transparency around reserves use and structural savings
Public comment was scheduled into Wednesday’s session. Local advocate Jen Robichaux commented via email:
“This budget neglects residents’ needs and fails to address critical financial and operational issues, letting problems build to a crisis. It is not balanced. It draws down reserve funds for the next two years to appear balanced. After which, a growing deficit threatens Austin’s financial stability. This budget omits major projects like Cap and Stitch, for which Austin is liable. Austin has a sales tax problem, with revenue dropping month over month. This problem is unique to Austin, as other Central Texas cities show strong consumer spending. The city must take action to reduce spending, use resources more efficiently, and increase revenue. Save money by eliminating non-essential spending to special interest projects and streamline the workforce. Spend wisely by addressing housing instability. The Housing Trust Fund is being gutted to fund inadequate shelter solutions and will *not* be replenished in future budgets.“
The entire session:
The session set the groundwork for upcoming budget meetings—July 29 (enterprise funds), July 31 (tax rate & public hearing)—leading into the formal vote in mid‑August.
Austin plans to hire 12 new workers with a budget of $925,000 to manage homeless camps, addressing issues like nudity, defecation, and chemical disposal.
A man died early this morning following an electric scooter crash near the University of Texas at Austin campus. The Austin Police Department reported that the incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of West 22nd Street and Guadalupe Street, an area commonly referred to as “The Drag.” Authorities were alerted by a caller who found the man on the ground and bleeding.
Police said the crash was being treated as an accident; however, investigators would review possible video footage from the area. (KXAN-TV)
A Travis County sheriff’s department corrections officer and a teen girl were killed Wednesday morning in shooting in East Austin.
The Austin Police Department is searching for four suspects connected to a shooting in North Austin last month.
A person is dead after a motorcycle crash Wednesday morning in southeast Austin.
Two hikers had to be rescued Wednesday near Steiner Ranch.
what3words app.
Texas Special Session Day Three: Flood Response Takes Center Stage
July 23, 2025 – A Critical Day for Disaster Preparedness
The third day of Texas’ special legislative session proved to be a pivotal moment as lawmakers turned their attention to the state’s most pressing issue: flood response and disaster preparedness. After the devastating July 4th weekend floods that claimed at least 136 lives across Central Texas, legislators convened their first formal hearing to address systemic failures and chart a path forward.
The Flood Panel Convenes
The Texas House and Senate quickly established special committees to focus on relief efforts and determine what preparations the state must make to be better prepared for future natural disasters. The 18-member joint Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding held their inaugural hearing at the State Capitol, bringing together emergency management officials, weather forecasters, and representatives from the Texas Water Development Board.
Legislative Focus on Early Warning Systems
State Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, emerged as a key figure in the flood response efforts, carrying legislation focused on establishing a comprehensive flood early warning system across Texas.
“Let’s just get money, get a solution, get it to them,” — State Senator Paul Bettencourt
The senator emphasized that the solution extends beyond simple warning sirens. “You got to look at gauges. You have to look at cell communications,” Bettencourt said. “If you’re down in a river valley, you may not be able to get the alerts.” This approach recognizes the complex communication challenges that contributed to the high death toll during the July 4 disaster.
Governor’s Priorities Aligned with Legislative Action
Gov. Greg Abbott said he’d put flood-related items at the top of the Texas Legislature’s packed special session agenda.
Wednesday, four more Texas counties were given disaster declaration status.
Looking Ahead: Kerrville Hearing Planned
The committee’s work extends beyond the Capitol walls. To hear from flood victims themselves, lawmakers are traveling to Kerrville, along the devastated banks of the Guadalupe River, for a public hearing July 31.
While flood response dominated Day Three, the special session agenda includes 17 other priorities, including THC regulation, redistricting, and various conservative policy initiatives.
Senate Bill 5: THC ban
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is all in for a total ban.
Houston businessman Joseph L. Trahan is a Republican running for a Texas Senate seat in District 15
Advocates push for regulation of hemp products with THC, not a ban, emphasizing the need for limits on synthetic THC products that are often unregulated and dangerous.
What kind of cannabis can you buy in Texas? How to understand what’s in the products for sale. (KUT 90.5)
Redistricting Texas
The Trump administration is reportedly pressuring Texas to redraw its electoral maps to create more Republican-leaning districts for the upcoming midterm elections, potentially setting a precedent for other states.
The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting is scheduled to hold its inaugural hearing at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Capitol, signaling official legislative attention to this contentious issue.
Two people, including Marble Falls Fire Chief Michael Phillips, are still missing in the Travis County area after catastrophic flooding on the Fourth of July weekend.
A reporter’s account of the moment one of the Austin-area flood missing was found. (KUT 90.5)
Burnet County residents can have flood debris picked up now through the end of the month.
TxDOT is urgently rebuilding the RM 1431 bridge over Cow Creek, destroyed by flooding, with crews working 24/7 to meet a September 19th deadline, while officials stress the need for public safety by keeping onlookers away from the extremely active construction site with heavy equipment and law enforcement presence.
Zendesk, a San Francisco company that has had a presence in Austin for years is now opening a new office here and will be hiring hundreds.
(Zendesk)
Six construction updates for I-35 in Austin. (Community Impact)
Hot Summer Nights, a free three-day music festival in Austin, features over 150 bands performing at 18 venues in the Red River Cultural District from July 24-26.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
The National Hurricane Center forecasts a 10% chance of tropical development over the next two days for a Gulf storm system, with proximity to land limiting its growth potential. This system is expected to bring heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and isolated flash flooding to Gulf Coast areas including Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.
The Trump administration has approved a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what will be the largest detention center in the U.S. at a military base in El Paso.
Sen. John Cornyn supports replicating “Alligator Alcatraz” in Texas, a controversial 3000-capacity migrant detention center in Florida’s Everglades.
Police are still searching for an 85-year-old man who went missing in San Antonio one week ago. (CBS Austin)
A 62-year-old man died in the Harris County Jail last week after detention officers discovered him unresponsive on his mattress, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. It’s at least the 11th inmate death this year at the downtown Houston jail. (Texas Standard)
A new report shows that traffic fatalities fell in Texas for the third straight year, but fatalities are significantly higher from the last decade.
The report from TRIP, a national transportation research group, highlights a decrease of 8% in fatalities in Texas from 2021 to 2024, but an 18% increase from 2014. (Texas Public Radio)
A Grand Prairie City Council member was arrested Wednesday after an incident last week in which he allegedly assaulted a man and broke his phone.
Despite having an office with hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton frequently opts to hire private lawyers. One cost taxpayers more than $24,000 in one day. (Texas Tribune)
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, the Southlake Republican who championed tech-oriented bills, announced his retirement from the Texas House on Tuesday, the latest in a slew of legislative shakeups ahead of the 2026 elections. (Texas Tribune)
Meteorologist Troy Kimmel discusses the forecasts that preceded the deadly flooding, and WFAA-TV anchor Chris Lawrence shares what he saw firsthand on the ground.
SPORTS
MLS: Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo and Brian White each found the net to steer a dominant MLS victory over Liga MX in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin. The MLS All-Stars won 3-1 over LIGA MX’s best. (MLS)
MLB: The Rangers and Astros brought out their brooms last night.
Jonah Heim hit a looping fly ball that dropped between two fielders in shallow left field, scoring Wyatt Langford from first base, and the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 2-1 on Wednesday night for a sweep. (Yahoo! Sports)
In Phoenix, Christian Walker singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Astros conclude their series with the A’s in Sacramento tonight while the Rangers have the day off.
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST STANDINGS
NFL: The newest Dallas Cowboys, backup quarterback Joe Milton III. Milton opens up about the moment he learned he was traded from the Patriots, what it’s been like learning from Dak Prescott, and his expectations for the upcoming season.
The Houston Texans hit the field for the first day of training camp on Wednesday.
LONGHORNS: Texas Athletics announced ten members of its Hall of Honor Class of 2025 on Wednesday, to be inducted at 7 p.m., Sept. 12 at the LBJ Auditorium and Conference Center. (KXAN-TV)
Six Flags Astroworld was a legendary Texas amusement park that operated from 1968 until 2005. Demolition of the park was completed in 2006. It was a rare instance of an entire large theme park being completely razed, resulting in the loss of numerous rides and the themed world they inhabited.
