AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin has unveiled a new budget proposal after voters rejected Proposition Q, leaving a $109 million gap in expected property tax revenue.
To close the shortfall, city leaders are proposing major reductions — including $6.2 million from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. Parks and Recreation would lose $5.2 million, the Municipal Court $3.7 million, social services contracts $38 million, and the Fire Department about $1 million.
ATCEMS Association President James Monks said the department was “shocked and disappointed” by the proposed cuts, warning they could lead to fewer medics and slower ambulance response times. “We’re solving a lot of problems for the city,” Monks said, “and it just kind of makes us feel a little bit unappreciated.”
He said the department has faced years of tight budgets and rolling “brownouts,” when ambulances are pulled from service because of staffing shortages. “People are already overworked and burned out,” Monks said. “Now this is just another blow.”
Matt Mackowiak, co-chair of Save Austin Now, the group that opposed Prop Q, said cutting public safety isn’t what voters wanted. “If the first thing you do after Prop Q is cut EMS, city leaders have another thing coming,” he said, adding that delays in emergency response “can be the difference between life and death.”
While public safety agencies face cuts, the Homelessness Strategy Office would get a $3.7 million increase. Councilmember Ryan Alter said the city must fund those programs since the state does not. “Other states invest in homeless services,” Alter said. “The state of Texas doesn’t, so it’s up to us.”
The revised plan also includes a 3.5% property tax increase, the maximum allowed without voter approval, generating $5.25 million in new revenue. It adds wage increases for lower-paid employees, $5 million to continue shelter operations, and $2 million for new park maintenance positions.
To help stabilize funding, the city plans to use $14.1 million from its Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund and another $2.3 million for one-time expenses, including firefighter gear and bond program planning.
City Council will review the proposal Thursday and could vote on it as soon as November 20.
