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Travis County Weighs 8% Property Tax Hike to Fund Flood Recovery

The proposal stems from depleted emergency reserves after officials spent $7 million on July flood repairs

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Overview

  • County commissioners are studying an 8 percent one-time property tax increase under state disaster provisions that could generate about $42 million without a voter referendum
  • Officials report having spent $7 million on flood repairs and retaining under $2 million in emergency funds
  • Cleanup crews have removed more than 46,000 cubic yards of debris at a cost of $1 million and estimate another $5 million to $6 million will be needed
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement applications remain pending with unclear timelines, prompting local leaders to secure funding independently
  • Relief measures in place include a limited burn ban, short-term housing support, permit fee waivers and a community fundraiser that has raised $1.2 million toward its $10 million goal