Overview
- Austin’s Proposition Q failed at the polls, halting a roughly five-cent property tax rate increase projected to raise about $110 million annually.
- The plan would have added about $302.14 per year to the average homeowner’s city tax bill, based on a $494,803 assessed value.
- With the measure rejected, the voter‑approval rate of 52.4017 cents per $100 now applies, yielding a smaller average increase of $104.76 and an estimated $109.5 million revenue shortfall.
- City allocations tied to the proposal included $35.5 million for homelessness programs, funding for dozens of EMS positions, more than $8 million to restore Fire Department overtime, and $1.6 million to stabilize public health grants.
- The city manager will bring a revised budget to council, and local leaders warn that significant cuts to current services are likely.