AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin City Council has approved a new budget that is the richest in the city's history.
The $4.1 billion agreement comes after months of meetings and public input.
The average Austin homeowner will now pay $110 a month in property taxes, which is a $5 increase each month. The year total will be $1,317.07, including an increase of $66.87.
Services like water and electric will go up less than $1 a month or $10.44 per year.
City Manager Spencer Cronk said the plan prioritizes things like affordable housing, homelessness, building fire stations, hiring police officers, and improving streets and sidewalks.
"From here we can move forward and begin the important work that Mayor and Council have asked us to deliver, to make Austin an even better place for all our residents,” said Cronk.
The plan goes into effect Oct. 1.
Budget break-down:
- $5.7 million for 33 police officers and new equipment
- $5.4 million for two new fire stations
- $3.4 million for funding homeless programs
- $1.8 million for aquatic maintenance
- $1.1 million for disease prevention
- $1.1 million for Extended Mobile Crisis Outreach