Dear Neighbors,
Since I joined the Council, I have advocated for exercising fiscal discipline, strengthening the city’s long term financial health, and making strategic investments. I’m proud to report that the budget we adopted yesterday reflects these efforts and prioritizes funding for infrastructure improvements, public safety, parks, and programs to serve women, children, and people experiencing homelessness.
Over the last year and a half I have worked hard to minimize the tax burden. In August, I successfully motioned to cap any tax rate increase at the lowest level since the 10-1 Council was formed. Yesterday, the rate we adopted came in even lower while also increasing both the general and senior homestead exemptions and raising the living wage for City of Austin employees to $15 an hour.
Some additional highlights from the budget include: new police officers and firefighters, increased traffic enforcement, brush collection for wildfire mitigation, victims services counselors, and mental health specialists.
In this budget I secured money for much-needed maintenance in our aging parks and aquatics systems and shifted the conversation to begin addressing massive deferred maintenance needs across all city facilities. As part of an ongoing effort, we earmarked 15 percent of the Hotel Occupancy Tax to preserve our historic parks and cultural venues. After pioneering recycling in District 10 parks using my own office budget last year, I am pleased we now are expanding recycling to all of Austin’s parks.
To support children in our community, we allocated money for new Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, parent support specialists, and free after-school programs. Furthermore, I helped champion new positions within the Development Services Department to streamline the permitting process, including the creation of two small business ombudsman positions.
The City's budget process is extensive and challenging, and I am grateful for the time and effort dedicated by the community, my colleagues, City Manager Cronk, City staff, and board and commission members. I also would like to thank all the neighbors and organizations who reached out to me, attended D10 office hours, or came to speak at budget hearings. As we head into the fall, there will be plenty more opportunities to stay engaged and have your voice heard, including public meetings with your APD District Representatives, requests for feedback on transportation projects, and a bond election in November. Also, my staff once again will be holding office hours, where you can come and talk to us about the issues that you care about most.
As always, please feel free to contact my office with any questions or comments at District10@austintexas.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10
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