Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax has proposed a $6.3 billion operating budget for the city, focusing on three key areas: people, place, and partnerships.
The budget was developed amid challenging financial conditions including federal funding cuts, a state-imposed 3.5% cap on property tax revenue growth, and lower than expected sales tax revenue.
The budget started with a projected $33.4 million deficit but maintains essential services through departmental expenditure reductions and restructuring.
Key highlights include:
Homelessness and Housing:
- $8 million in one-time funding for emergency shelter operations at the Marshalling Yard
- $3.5 million to continue operations at the 8th Street Shelter
- $925,000 for twelve new positions to expand outreach and encampment management
- $400,000 increase in emergency rental assistance
Equity and Inclusion:
- New Human Rights Division in the office of Equity and Inclusion
- $150,000 for “We All Belong” campaign against hate crimes
- $250,000 for ADA transition plan development
Emergency Services:
- $345,000 for expanded emergency response and cold weather shelter operations
- $280,000 for wildfire shelters and safety equipment
Other Notable Items:
- $3.7 million for Austin Energy for customer energy solutions
- Creation of new Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment department
- $2.9 billion planned for critical infrastructure projects
Impact on Taxpayers: The proposed property tax rate is $0.5276 per $100 of assessed property value. The typical Austin homeowner will see a monthly increase of $12.90 ($154.83 annually) in city property taxes, plus an additional $22.35 monthly ($268.23 annually) increase in rates and fees for utilities and services.
The City Council will review the budget through community input meetings and work sessions, with final adoption beginning August 13.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis is set to implement a major reorganization within the Austin Police Department, shifting numerous officers from specialized units to street patrol. An email obtained by the Austin American-Statesman indicates the primary goal of this plan is to address the department’s persistent shortage of patrol officers.
In a June 25 email to department staff, Chief Davis explained that this reallocation will also free up homicide detectives and other personnel who have been covering entry-level patrol shifts on overtime. (Austin American-Statesman)
Travis County continues to grapple with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding that struck over the Fourth of July weekend, leaving multiple communities cut off from essential services and transportation routes.
The Sandy Creek area near Leander has emerged as the epicenter of the flooding crisis. This residential neighborhood has been hit hardest by the disaster and is where most of the missing persons are from.
Volunteer organizers in the Big Sandy Creek area are experiencing heavy traffic and poorly prepared volunteers, hindering clean-up and search and rescue efforts in the area. They’re encouraging those eager to help to find an organization, wear appropriate attire, and avoid the area if possible.
FM 1431, a major roadway heading west toward Marble Falls, has become completely impassable due to a significant washout at the Cow Creek bridge.
A short-term disaster relief fund has been created to help Travis County communities that have been impacted. (FOX 7 Austin)
Fixing Austin’s low-water crossings would take 200 years at the current pace. (KUT 90.5)
Williamson County has been added to the list of Texas counties being declared a disaster area, making it eligible for federal funds.
In Williamson County, three people were confirmed dead from the flooding, with county officials urging residents to stay away from the San Gabriel River due to hazardous debris including trees, refrigerators, and cars.
After the flood, Williamson County Road and Bridge reported 28 road closures and 8 damaged roads; as of today, only three remain closed—CR 123, Big Mankins and CR 258.
Recreational facilities have also been impacted, with trails remain closed at River Ranch County Park as authorities assess safety conditions and clear debris.
In Burnet County, where five people died in the flooding, the search for missing Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips is ongoing, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office. He is the last person still missing in Burnet County after this weekend’s catastrophic flooding.
One of the flood victims, 57-year-old Army veteran Bill “Govani” Venus, was killed driving in Burnet County. His son told the story of searching for his father.
101 people are still reported to be missing in the aftermath of the July 4 floods.
A boil water notice has been issued for Marble Falls. (FOX 7 Austin)
More than 1,000 local, state, and federal responders, alongside thousands of volunteers from across the country, remain on the ground in Kerr County, where 107 people are confirmed to have died in the flooding.
Dispatch audio has surfaced from the critical hours before a deadly flood hit its height in Kerr County, helping piece together the timeframe local officials have yet to provide amid public scrutiny of their decisions on July 4.
The fatal flooding at Camp Mystic was exacerbated by delayed evacuations and a gap between the camp’s internal awareness and official alerts.
An investigation is underway after police evacuated a Kyle City Council meeting on Tuesday night. Kyle police say officers responded to a report of multiple threats made at City Hall around 7 p.m.
The credibility of the threats is still under investigation. (CBS Austin)
The Austin Police Department is searching for three men who police believe were involved in a stabbing in downtown Austin, near 6th Street, in June.
Overnight from local police feeds:
Seven people were arrested after a “shoplifting blitz” operation in the Mueller area.
Del Valle ISD teachers just found out their work schedules are changing when students return next month. Some teachers want the decision reversed.
The Modern, a 56-story condominium tower at 92 Rainey Street is about to open for new residents. (Austin Business Journal)
The Lower Colorado River Authority has been opening floodgates to help move storm runoff downstream. Here’s a breakdown of how the Highland Lakes system works.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST /AUSTIN, TEXAS
A change in the weather pattern looks to finally bring some relief to the Texas Hill Country.
“An area of high pressure that has been centered over the Gulf is forecast to slowly move westward this week. Doing so, the tropical moisture that has been streaming into central Texas will shift away from the region, bringing drier conditions to the center of the state,” — AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring a low-pressure system currently off Florida’s east coast. This system generated widespread showers and thunderstorms across the Florida Peninsula on Tuesday.
Forecasters predict the low-pressure system will track directly over Florida and then move into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center will continue to observe its development. (Austun American-Statesman)
President Trump is urging Texas lawmakers to redistrict, aiming to secure at least 5 more Republican seats in the upcoming midterm elections, potentially having worldwide impacts.
The Texas Democrat Delegation argues this redistricting effort aims to “rig the map” by fragmenting communities of interest and diluting minority voices, potentially reshaping Texas’ political landscape.
National Democratic leaders are encouraging state Democrats in the Texas House to consider walking out of a special legislative session this month to block Republicans from redrawing the state’s congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. (New York Times)
Texas lawmakers have filed at least 95 bills ahead of the July 21 special session.
Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson, launched his bid for Texas Attorney General on Monday. He now faces an uphill battle fighting for a position that the GOP has staunchly held for the last three decades.
The third-term lawmaker enters into the crowded GOP contest as the first, and only, heavyweight Democratic contender.
The Rio Grande Valley’s biggest free health clinic event of the year is canceled due to federal cuts. More than 6,600 people received check-ups, dental services, diabetes screenings and more last year. (Texas Tribune)
ZDT’s Amusement Park in Seguin—east of San Antonio—will cease operations this summer, the family-owned park announced on Monday.
Low attendance and rising costs were reportedly factors in the decision to close. (Chron)
The 12th suspect wanted in connection with a July 4 ambush that left a police officer wounded outside an ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Benjamin Hanil Song, is in custody, the Johnson County District Attorney and the FBI said Tuesday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has tied nine new measles cases to the West Texas outbreak. DSHS has confirmed five new cases in Lamar County and four in neighboring Fannin County, which is new to the Texas outbreak list. Both counties are on the border with Oklahoma. (Texas Public Radio)
Fort Worth is about to name a new police chief.
(Episode from July 4, 2025)
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC will hit the road tonight when the VERDE & Black take on LA Galaxy at 9:30 p.m. CT at Dignity Health Sports Park.
In other soccer news, tickets are on sale now for the 2026 World Cup in Dallas.
MLB: The National League blew a 6-0 lead to the American League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia that sent the game to extra innings with a 6-6 tie, which was determined by the first ever Home Run Derby swing-off to determine the winner.
Despite blowing the early lead, the NL still came out victorious with a 4-3 victory in the Home Run Derby swing-off. (Yahoo! Sports)
Over this past weekend, more flooding rains hit Central Texas.
The Llano River quickly swelled and became a raging torrent.
Texas Storm Chasers offer video of Mother Nature’s force.
