Tag Archives: Austin City Council

City Should Aim For Midyear Budget Amendments

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By Bill Oakey – November 18, 2025

Some Budget Cuts Can Be Restored Midyear

There is a mad scramble at City Hall to slash the current fiscal year budget, in the light of Prop Q’s failure. Employee unions for police, fire and EMS are pushing hard to keep staffing levels and pay increases that were in the Prop Q budget. Other civic groups are clamoring for funding of services that they say are vital to the community.

The missing element in these frantic discussions is the strong message that voters sent to City Hall when they overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q – We want more transparency, efficiency and accountability in City spending. In my nearly 40 years of following City Budget battles, I have rarely ever seen a City Hall led discussion about how to make meaningful reforms to hold down costs to taxpayers. You can mark this month on your calendars – The Day of Reckoning has finally arrived!

The City Manager’s Plan Could Lead to Midyear Budget Adjustments

City Manager, TC Broadnax issued a memo the day after the Prop Q election. It outlines several steps he plans to take in an efficiency review. You can read about it here in a KXAN News story.  Here is the City Manager’s memo, “Efficiency and Optimization of City Services in Fiscal Year 2026.” The strategies include:

• Independent assessment of operational efficiency and service delivery.

• Benchmarking against comparable organizations to identify best practices.

• Data-driven analysis of resource allocation and organizational design.

• Recommendations for cost savings, service improvements, and structural adjustments.

In addition to these initiatives, City Council member, Marc Duchen and his staff are leading the effort to seek out as many cost-saving options as possible.

Perhaps a Midyear Budget Revision Could Take Effect on April 1st

The efficiency reviews, and there could indeed be more than one, will most likely play out over many months, if not years. But I am not April-fooling when I suggest that the City should set a goal of identifying cost-savings that could restore some essential City services halfway through this fiscal year.

And What About Those Huge Homeless Services Contracts?

As the raucous voices put forth their choices at City Hall this week, regarding spending cuts, I have not heard any words ECHO-ing off the wall (pun fully intended) about renegotiating homeless services contracts. Austin has by far the highest local cost share of homeless spending in the entire state. It’s the Day of Reckoning, so reforms are beckoning!

The ultimate goal should be to apply significant cost savings towards taxpayer relief in future budget years. The national affordability crisis will likely persist for quite some time. I recommend establishing a Taxpayer Reserve Fund, to be used for lowering taxes in subsequent years.

Fingers crossed that the folks at City Hall will heed the voters’ message. Their duty is not to just argue about cutting vital services. It’s the structural and cultural attitudes about spending that need to be addressed. Otherwise, few among us will be impressed.

Musical Accompaniment for This Blog Piece:

1. “Halfway to Paradise” – Tony Orlando

2. “Half the Way” – Crystal Gayle

A Joyous Night For Taxpayers – Prop Q Walloped!

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By Bill Oakey – November 6, 2025

A Lopsided Victory That Will Wake Up City Hall

The final result was 63% to 37%. That capped off a long Tuesday evening of anxious waiting. The polls closed at 7:00, but the Travis County Elections website did not post early vote totals until almost 9:30. The reason for the delay spoke volumes about voter sentiment on Prop Q. People were still standing in line to vote, an hour and fifteen minutes after the polls closed!

Heads are now rolling at City Hall. Whether our leaders will change their free-spending ways is still up in the air. For far too long, they have been living in a bubble.

Mayor Kirk Watson quickly issued a post-election statement saying, “We should hear them, learn from this election, and trust our voters.” But many of us wonder how he could have misread the national affordability crisis to begin with.

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes Still Doesn’t Get It

On her Facebook post after the election, she made these comments:

“Finding a new path forward means cutting $110 million from the proposed budget. These cuts will have real and serious consequences – that could mean fewer paramedics on shift, fewer families receiving rental assistance and access to food programs, longer wait times for emergency services, and reductions in park maintenance and public health outreach – all at a time when many in our city need more help, not less.”

Austinites have a long history of showing support for essential City services and a high quality of life. But a 20% tax increase that would create a permanent annual slush fund of over $100 million was simply too much for taxpayers to swallow. The specific items that Ms. Fuentes cited could still be funded over time, and probably sooner rather than later. They will simply have to manage their budget the same way that Austin families have to do. We cannot afford everything that we want during an affordability crisis. And, we often make tradeoffs to balance buying the things that we need the most. It all comes to that concept known as fiscal responsibility.

Thank Goodness for City Council Member Marc Duchen!

Marc was the only Council member to vote against putting Prop Q on the ballot. Now, his office will be the strongest voice for meaningful reforms, to set the City onto the right track. I am in regular contact with his office, and hopefully there will be some good news to report on this blog in the coming days and weeks ahead. Stay tuned…

Musical Accompaniment for This Blog Piece:

1.”Such a Night” – 1960 Elivis Presley version

2. “Such a Night” – 1954 original version by the Drifters, featuring Clyde McPhatter.

How You Can Vastly Increase Voter Turnout To Defeat Prop Q

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By Bill Oakey – November 3, 2025

Tomorrow is Election Day. With a few simple steps, you and I and our friends can drive the final nail into Prop Q’s coffin.

We Just Need to Get People Out to Vote!

We can do that by sending a series of messages, designed to go viral throughout today. Take the sample message show below. Modify the wording if you wish. But keep it short and simple. Next,  copy the message. Then you can easily paste it into a dozen or two emails, addressed to people in your Contacts. And also, please post it to your social media.

Here is a sample message that you could use:

Please be sure to vote tomorrow. Make yourself a note, or put it on your calendar. Vote “No” on City of Austin Proposition Q. Ignore the misleading ballot language. This is an unaffordable 20% property tax increase that will hurt homeowners, renters and small businesses. It will create a fresh $100 million slush fund every year, forever. See more information at AustinAffordability.com. (Be sure to include the sentence below).

Please take the time to post this message to your social media, and email it to as many of your friends as time allows.———————————
Hopefully, this strategy will cause the messages to multiply like a chain.

Musical Accompaniment for This Blog Posting:

“Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin” – Asleep at the Wheel, from their first album in 1973.

Watch Out For Bad Messaging – Prop Q’s Final Stretch

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By Bill Oakey – October 31, 2025

I woke up this morning to a strange article in the Austin American-Statesman. It laid out some final perspectives and analysis on Prop Q. Two things really stood out. One was the assumption that if you are a Democrat, you must be in favor of Prop Q. Nothing could be further from the truth! The Travis County Democratic Party wound up with a tie vote on endorsing Prop Q. The party chairman cast the deciding vote, much to the great disappointment of many Precinct Chairs who voted. They preferred a “No Endorsement” outcome.

The other fallacious assumption in the Statesman article was that if you live in West Austin, you must be wealthy, and therefore Prop Q supporters can count on your vote. Well, I live In Tarrytown, and I’m certainly not wealthy. On my daily walks for the past few weeks, I have run into quite a variety of total strangers. I have yet to encounter a single one who supports Prop Q. They were all adamantly opposed to it. Their reactions were tinged with emotion.

A Tale of Two Different Mindsets

This section is best described with a final Prop Q poem and a pair of divergent images. I’ll start with the poem:

The Prop Q messaging is in high gear
That fateful Election Day is almost here
Those big dollar donors with a “vote yes” conviction
Should think about the renters who might face eviction

If you are a student, cut out of your classes
You are in big trouble if Prop Q passes
Hustle on down and cast your vote
Then go back to class, or get an ice cream float

If you’re busy on Tuesday, thinking you might not show
Just close up your laptops and giddy-up go
With Council members sipping drinks on distant shores
We must have every vote, including yours

Let’s stamp out Prop Q like smoldering embers
And send a strong message to those City Council members
Clear across Austin, in all the polling places
Let’s all come together, with defiant smiling faces!

Musical Accompaniment for This Blog Piece

1. “Distant Shores” – Chad and Jeremy

Stop Prop Q In Its Tracks – Vote While You Still Can

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By Bill Oakey – October 30, 2025

Early voting continues through tomorrow, Friday, Halloween. If you can’t make it to a polling place before the weekend, make plans to vote on Election Day, next Tuesday.

Voting In This Election Is An Uplifting Emotional Experience!

Reports are coming in from across the city that Austinites are fired up to defeat Prop Q. At a recent Barton Hills Neighborhood Association Meeting, their District 5 City Council Member, Ryan Alter, tried to make the case for Prop Q. But the members weren’t buying it. They voted overwhelmingly for a resolution opposing Prop Q. Nextdoor threads are lit up with excited folks railing against Prop Q.

But nothing quite compares to joining your neighbors at the nearest polling location, to cast your ballot. While standing in line, you will hear an amazing array of words and concepts that never seem to penetrate the walls of City Hall. Things like fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability…oh my goodness! Could we possibly be on the verge of a big turnover of the current City Council in next year’s elections? The voices of the people are getting quite loud at the moment. City Council candidates are even stalking the hallways in movie theaters. I witnessed this last Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Oops, I guess I’m getting just a little bit ahead of myself. You just need to gear up for that uplifting emotional experience that awaits you when you go to vote! Don’t do it by yourself. It’s much more fun to gather a group of friends and neighbors to join you. The power to reshape the mindset at City Hall is in your hands, so grab the opportunity.

If you know anyone who is still on the fence about Prop Q, click on some of the latest posts for this blog, and send them the links. The list of the latest posts is shown on the right on this page. Let’s take down the biggest tax increase in Austin history – the dreaded Forever Tax that threatens to haunt us all, long past Halloween.

Early Voting Is Here – Rally Your Neighbors To Oppose Prop Q!

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By Bill Oakey – October 20, 2025

We Need to Spread the Message

The facts are on our side, but not everyone has heard the message. Each one of us should take some time to alert friends and neighbors. Post links to this blog or similar outreach materials to your social media. Send out emails.Talk to the folks on your block.

Myths Vs. the Facts – Spread the Word

1. Shameful Myth – Public safety, parks and libraries and apple pie will wither away without Prop Q.

Fact – All of the basic services and wishlist items can still be funded in the City Budget if Prop Q fails. As the Chamber of Commerce pointed out, the City Manager produced a balanced budget.

Fact – City officials can adopt the same belt-tightening that your family and others are using in this harsh economy. They can learn from Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

2. Crazy Myth – Only Republicans and conservatives are against Prop Q.

Fact – The Travis County precinct chairs were evenly split over endorsing Prop Q. The party chairman rolled over and broke the tie. That endorsement is laughably weak.

Fact – The groundswell of taxpayer resistance to Prop Q crosses all party lines. The crazy, partisan tactics in the For Prop Q mailers are a joke. Toss those into the recycle bin!

3. Silly Myth – “This is not about taxes, it’s about our values.”

Fact – Austinites don’t value the prospect of huge rent increases. We don’t value watching our beloved, iconic local businesses closing, because they can’t afford the taxes. And we certainly don’t value anyone losing their home.

Fact – Austin’s spending on the homeless is massively higher than any other major Texas city. The compassionate thing to do is bring the spending under control, and use performance measures for effective results. Just throwing money at the problem hasn’t worked – not even close!

Never Forget That This Is a “Forever Tax”

Over $100 million every single year, into eternity. Remember this image when you go to sleep tonight. Then show it to your friends when you wake up. And don’t forget to vote!

A New Prop Q Poem

Early voting is here, you can now have your say
Don’t let anything stand in your way
The most important thing you can do
Is rally your friends to vote NO on Prop Q!

Beware of false messaging and misleading factors
Prop Q’s big donors are all City contractors
The Budget can be balanced, I’m not pretending
The City just needs to cut wasteful spending

The wishlist of programs that Prop Q is touting
Can still be funded, no need for the shouting
A NO vote would just bring fiscal responsibility
And push City Hall toward affordability

Musical Accompaniment for This Blog Piece

”The Long and Winding Road” – The Beatles

Letter To The Editor

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This was published in the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday, October 12, 2025

No End for Prop Q

I urge you to vote No on Proposition Q on Nov. 4. This Tax Rate Election could unleash one of the biggest property tax increases in Austin history. The city has declared a $33 million budget shortfall, but Prop Q would deliver $100 million to a fiscally irresponsible city government.

They are completely tone deaf to the hardships we face in this tough economy. Homeowners, small businesses and renters would all be hurt. Let’s join the Austin Chamber of Commerce in opposing Prop Q. The first year of this tax increase is only the beginning. Once a tax rate has been adopted, it becomes the new baseline for the next budget year. Then each year, more new taxes can be piled on top of it.

Please alert your friends and neighbors that Prop Q is a forever tax. I have been closely following affordability issues since 1983. The new budget can be trimmed. The city needs only to look at homeless program spending in other major Texas cities to find big cost savings.

Imagine standing on a hill, looking down on a winding road that vanishes into the sunset. Markers in the road show year after year of $100 million Austin tax increases. Like The Highwaymen used to sing, “The Road Goes On Forever.” But not if you vote No on Prop Q!

Bill Oakey, AustinAffordability.com

Chamber Of Commerce Opposes Prop Q

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By Bill Oakey – October 8, 2025

I am quite happy to share this news! Here is their statement, from this weblink.

Austin Chamber Board of Directors Opposes Proposition Q
City of Austin Tax Rate Election

On November 4th, voters in Austin will head to the polls to consider a tax rate election that would increase property tax rates in the City of Austin by over 16%. Austin has experienced strong economic growth in recent years, but with this success has come significant challenges, chief among them is affordability. Over the past ten years, the typical Austin homeowner’s tax bill has increased by over 65%. This trajectory is unsustainable and at a time of great economic uncertainty, it is imperative that our local governments exercise fiscal restraint. The City Manager’s original budget stayed within the maximum allowed increase without requiring a tax rate election. That budget also fully funded core services including public safety.

Last month, the Austin Chamber wrote to Mayor Watson and Council Members urging Council to minimize property tax increases on residents and businesses. We recognize the challenging circumstances surrounding this year’s budget but were disappointed with the Council’s near unanimous decision to increase property taxes by over 16%. This increase is on top of higher than normal increases in several other taxing jurisdictions including Travis County and Central Health. Austin must remain an attractive destination for economic development and job growth, and this dramatic increase in taxes will likely push people out of Austin and negatively impact our ability to attract new investments in our city. Businesses in Austin experience an outsized share of rising fiscal pressures, and the Austin Chamber remains concerned that further property tax increases will lead to more businesses moving out of our city.

It is for these reasons that the Austin Chamber Board of Directors opposes the City of Austin’s Tax Rate Election on this November’s ballot. If we fail to prioritize affordability today, we risk losing the very people and businesses that have made Austin a thriving community.

Sincerely,
Mark Ramseur
Board Chair
Austin Chamber of Commerce

Holy Cow – Prop Q Is Baked Into The Budget!

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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!

Please post this blog link to your social media and send by email.

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