By Bill Oakey – October 6, 2025

I never saw this one coming! Apparently, a whole lot of other folks missed it too. A section from Page 49 of the City’s Approved Budget should alert everyone:

“This budget is based on an overall property tax rate of $0.574017 per $100 of assessed property valuation, an increase of 9.6417 cents from the FY 2025 tax rate of $0.4776. Because this property tax rate exceeds the voter-approval rate, in order to remain in effect, it requires approval by City voters at a tax rate election scheduled for November 4, 2025.”

My reaction was…

It is legal in Texas for cities to include the hoped-for approval of a Tax Rate Election in their annual budgets that takes effect on October 1 of each year. But I consider it disrespectful to the citizens. The Austin City Budget can be amended at any time during the fiscal year. Why not leave the wish-list items out of the budget, and trust the voters to make an informed decision in the election?

The Largest Tax Increase In Austin History

At a time when Americans of all stripes are struggling to make ends meet in a very tough economy, we’re being asked to vote for a record high 20% tax increase. Mortgages would go into delinquency, rents would skyrocket and small businesses would suffer. Our most vulnerable low income residents are at their wits end over this thing.

A Tax Windfall of $100 Million, Year After Year, Forever!

The City reported a $33 million budget shortfall. They want to cover that with a huge $100 million tax increase. But it gets worse. That $100 million goes into the baseline for every future year. And the City can tack an additional 3.5% tax increase onto each year’s new baseline. Ouch!!

The City Has Never Gone This Far Before

Neighborhood association folks have expressed their sentiments about Prop Q in a sensible, forthright manner. Over and over, people say that they have supported City propositions and bond issues for decades. We all want a high quality of life and good public services. But, this time it’s just too much. It all comes down to priorities. Consider these debacles: The unfathomable cost of a new convention center, a previous permanent tax increase for a rail system that may never be built, and millions of gallons of water leaking every year, because of aging pipes. Top it all off with an unpopular, crazy new City logo chosen with no public input. If Prop Q fails, I will call for a major reset of City planning, with grassroots public engagement across every City Council District. We should all get together and put the city that we love on the right track.

A tax increase this pathetic certainty deserves something poetic. So, here goes…

The Prop Q Poem

Don’t scratch your heads, wondering what to do
The answer is to vote against Prop Q
No, your ears are not full of wax
This really is a Forever Tax!

$100 million year after year
With new taxes added, oh my dear
As surely as stylists use scissors and combs
Good folks will be taxed right out of their homes!

I can honestly say with all humility
Prop Q would wreak havoc on affordability
Talk to your neighbors, appeal to your friends
Fight against Prop Q till the election ends!

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Musical Accompaniment For This Blog Piece

1. “Cow Cow Boogie” – Ella Mae Morse

2. “The Road Goes On Forever” – The Highwaymen

3. “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” – Conway Twitty

4. “Over and Over” – The Dave Clark Five

5. “Get Together” – The Youngbloods