Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10 a.m. (Austin time), Austin City Hall
The Austin City Council met on August 4, 2026 to consider two items: a potential November 2026 bond election resolution and a presentation of the city manager's FY 2026-2027 proposed budget. After extensive public testimony supporting parks, libraries, active transportation, cultural facilities, and social services, the Council voted 8-3 to advance a $280 million bond package (parks at $260 million and libraries at $20 million, amended to add the Colony Park branch library) to the August 6 meeting for ballot ordering. The Council also heard the proposed budget presentation covering property tax impacts, social service grant reductions, housing vouchers, and capital spending plans. Council members indicated proposed budget amendments and IFCs would be filed by end of day for discussion on Thursday August 6.
0:06 You are watching a meeting of the Austin City Council with Mayor Kirk Watson, Mayor pro, tim cheadle,
0:15 Vela council members Natasha Harper Madison, Vanessa Fuentes, José velazquez, Ryan Alter, crystal lane, Mike Siegel, Paige Ellis, zoe
0:39 cadre, mark uchin, city attorney deborah thomas, city clerk erica brady, and city manager tc broad.
0:52 Next,
0:58 well, good morning everybody.
1:00 It is August 4th, 2026. It's 10 o'clock in the morning, and I will call to order the Austin city
1:07 council for this meeting of the Austin City Council.
1:09 We have a quorum of the City Council present, and we are meeting in the City Council chambers,
1:13 which are located at City Hall at 3 0 1 west second street in Austin, texas.
1:18 Uh, we have two items on the agenda today.
1:21 We're going to go, we're gonna go with item number two first because that is an item that
1:26 requires action by the council.
1:28 So we're gonna take it up first.
1:30 And, and actually, in addition to requiring action, part of the justification for taking it up first is
1:36 that for getting things posted in a timely fashion based upon whatever the decision might be, um, we
1:44 need to, we need to do that as quick, uh, as, as early in the day as we
1:47 can. And then we will have the presentation and discussion of the, uh, 20 26, 20 27 proposed budget.
1:53 Before we do that, as I have, uh, tried to do throughout this process, let me run through
1:58 what the schedule is with regard to the budget.
2:01 As I indicated today is Tuesday, August 4th, we will have a presentation and a discussion regarding the budget.
2:07 We will also hear from speakers when we bring up item number two, and today is the day
2:12 that we have asked council members to, uh, show to, to post and bring forward potential amendments and
2:20 potential ifcs. That will be discussed on Thursday, uh, August 6th.
2:26 Um, on August 6th, we'll have a meeting that begins at 10 o'clock in the morning.
2:31 There will be four agenda items on that meeting's agenda.
2:35 Uh, we will have of course, presentation and discussion of the budget, and that will also allow for
2:40 us to, uh, highlight admit proposed amendments and proposed ifcs, but there will also be a council election
2:47 vote. Uh, one will be if, if necessary, ordering a general bond election.
2:53 One will be ordering a general election because it's my understanding that some people are up for election
2:57 this time. Um, we'll, we'll, we'll talk about you.
3:01 You just wanna pass that.
3:02 Um, anyway, we'll talk about that, uh, on Thursday, but that's another item.
3:06 We have three items that we have to vote on with regard to the ballot.
3:09 One is, uh, potential bond election.
3:11 One is the, uh, general election, and one is ordering a special election for proposed charter amendments.
3:18 Then, of course, on Wednesday, August 12th, Thursday, August 13th, and Friday, August 14th is when we will vote on potential
3:26 budget approval. We will also conduct during the course of that public hearings, these are all posted on,
3:32 these will all be posted on the clerk's website with exactly how anybody that wants to be heard,
3:38 uh, what the envelope for timing is to sign up and when the timing, when the signup period
3:45 will be over. So with that, we will go to, I'll call up item number two.
3:49 Unless there's any questions or comments by council members, I'll call up item number two, which relates to
3:55 a potential resolution directing the manager to prepare an ordinance for council consideration to order a November 20, 26
4:02 bond election. As I indicated, uh, this requires actions by the council and it requires a posting, and
4:09 so that's why we're taking it up.
4:10 First. We have a number of people that have signed up to speak on this item, so unless
4:16 there's objection or questions, I will turn to the city clerk and ask the city clerk to please
4:20 start calling people. When the city clerk calls your name, if you would, she'll call 'em a name
4:26 in, in lists or groups of 3, 4, 5, maybe more.
4:30 Um, but she'll call the names when your name is called.
4:34 Please go ahead and get up and come forward, and if there's an empty seat, take one of
4:38 the seats here at the desk so that we'll know that you're here and that you wish to
4:42 be heard. If there's not a seat available, but your name's been heard, take one of these front
4:46 seats, um, so that you'll be ready and we'll be able to operate efficiently in terms of getting
4:52 your testimony in front of the council.
4:54 So with that, I'll now turn it over to the city clerk.
4:56 Thank you. Thank you, Mayor.
4:57 We have a few remote speakers for item two.
4:59 I'll start with chelsea burns.
5:07 Hi, can you hear meye?
5:09 Yes. Hello? Yes, we can.
5:12 Oh, okay, great. Thank you.
5:14 Um, my name is chelsea burns and I'm a resident of district seven.
5:19 I'm the vice chair of the bicycle advisory council, and I've served on the council for three years.
5:24 Um, during the time I've been there, I've seen how much Austin has benefited from the careful work
5:29 of skilled professionals at transportation and public works.
5:32 Recent bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects in Austin have been transformative in promoting critical safety.
5:39 So, uh, for example, the changing the structure of intersections to reduce crashes between pedestrians at or cyclists
5:45 and motor vehicles, or building protected bicycle lanes to provide dedicated and safe space for different road users.
5:52 In addition, they've made the city a more pleasant place to ride with trails and roads that have
5:56 improved shade and higher comfort levels for a range of different kinds of riders, prioritizing routes that can
6:01 be described as all ages and abilities.
6:04 And these improvements have not only benefited cyclists and pedestrians as the most recent email from Austin mobility
6:10 news highlights, traffic calming measures in addition of protected paths for cyclists and pedestrians have also reduced motor
6:16 vehicle crashes writ large, improving overall safety of these streets.
6:20 These improvements have come at a cost.
6:22 Of course, I recognize that the city's in a tight position financially and that Austin will not be
6:26 able to have the kinds of major project support in coming years that we've enjoyed from prior bond
6:31 funding. The reason I'm calling today is to ask the city to support a bond that would specifically
6:36 provide for continuity of staffing.
6:38 My concern is that with cuts that are coming without bond support, we will lose not only progress
6:45 on, on projects that have been really effective, but also expertise, workflows, relationships with different contractors.
6:53 Um, those have been really critical for making the work efficient and cost effective and reducing the cost
6:59 per mile for various kinds of improvements.
7:01 And I really am concerned that if we don't fund, um, a bond just to keep small maintenance
7:07 measures going, we're not just gonna pause, we're gonna go backwards in those ways.
7:12 Um, and so similarly, I would also support, um, con continuity of park funding.
7:16 Thank you very much.
7:16 We, um, um, I really, hayden walker,
7:24 good morning, Mayor and council.
7:26 My name's hayden black walker, and I'm one of the 22 folks y'all appointed to the bond election
7:31 advisory task force. The b test began meeting in October of 24 to prepare for a potential 25
7:38 bond, which was then pushed November of 26.
7:42 We met for 20 months and heard hundreds of hours of presentations from city staff at highlighted the
7:46 3.9 billion in capital needs across the city of Austin.
7:52 I'm speaking today to encourage you to fund the cip project projects you're considering for parks, pools, open
7:58 space, local mobility, transportation, safety, and libraries.
8:01 These programs are critical to our quality of life in Austin.
8:05 I first learned over a decade ago that Austin funds sidewalks with only bond money.
8:10 At that time, the existing level of funding was going to take 200 years to build our sidewalks
8:15 that were missing with adequate funding.
8:19 The city built a system that effectively delivers sidewalks and safe crossings, spending local mobility bond money as
8:26 directed and on time.
8:28 That effort has cut our sidewalk deficit in half, but without new funding, these local mobility programs fall
8:34 off of financial cliff in 2027.
8:37 Sidewalks improve safety, connectivity, access, and community health.
8:42 It would be inefficient to dismantle the system we've built, then reinvent the wheel again after 2028.
8:48 Given everything I learned on both the btf transportation and parks working groups, I'm supportive of this package
8:54 and encourage you to vote to continue funding these critical programs.
8:58 Thank you very much,
9:05 addie walker.
9:10 Good morning, Mayor and council.
9:12 My name is addie walker.
9:13 I live in district nine.
9:15 I've worked for several years in advocacy for active transportation and climate resiliency, and I attended the public
9:22 meetings of the b tiffs, including presentations from city departments and staff.
9:27 I support having a bond on the ballot in November, and I support funding for active transportation and
9:33 for parks. The original discussion around this bond in 2024 was to have a climate bond, recognizing that
9:40 climate change is a real and present threat to our public health and wellbeing, and committing to take
9:46 real steps to address that.
9:47 During the course of the btis meetings, often climate action and resilience completed a rough analysis of the
9:54 embodied and operational carbon of each project being considered for bond funding, sidewalks, urban trails, vision zero bikeways,
10:03 safe routes to schools, transit enhancements, and the act plan all have negative net carbon emissions.
10:09 Parkland acquisition and open space acquisition both have negative net carbon emissions.
10:15 We are living the consequences of climate change right now, and I would urge this council to consider
10:20 climate resiliency and emissions reductions in every action you take.
10:24 Funding for active transportation and for parks supports emissions negative projects that promote public health and wellbeing for
10:31 our residents. Thank you very much.
10:36 José loyola.
10:42 Hello. Mic check. Can you hear me?
10:47 Alright. Uh, good morning, Mayor council.
10:50 Uh, my name is José ola.
10:52 I live in district six and I am a father of two young children.
10:56 Mayor Watson has challenged Austin to become the best place in america to be a kid.
11:01 That means more than creating wonderful places that children can go, it means giving them the freedom to
11:06 reach those places, bike ways, sidewalks, safe crossings and neighborhood led projects are the infrastructure of chil childhood
11:13 freedom. They allow children to walk to the park, ride to a friend's house, and gradually gain independence.
11:21 A park that a children cannot safely reach is only half an investment.
11:26 As you move forward with this bond and the city's broader capital investments, please provide sustained funding for
11:32 bikeways safe routes and the neighborhood partnering program.
11:36 Let's build a city where children can experience their neighborhoods freely and safely, not only from the backseat
11:41 of a car. Thank you.
11:45 Ian wilson.
11:51 Hello. Mic check again.
11:54 Yes, you can be heard.
11:56 Hey, thank you. Uh, I am also calling to echo the statement of the last few callers.
12:02 Uh, my name is ian wilson, district three.
12:05 Um, it is kind of amazing that we need to make arguments for something that has so clearly
12:10 has, uh, such a wide public support.
12:12 Uh, uh, not only is it is it make our city better to get around in a whole
12:17 bunch of ways, it's also just the best economic decision for our city.
12:21 Bikes are more affordable for everyone.
12:23 Bike infrastructure is way, way, way more affordable than expensive build outs of other things, so I could
12:28 not more strongly endorse, um, continued funding for all bike related infrastructure.
12:36 Thanks,
12:40 edwin batista.
12:45 Hello. Good morning, Mayor and council members.
12:48 My name is mond bta.
12:49 I live in district seven.
12:51 I'm here to support the calling of the bond election this November, and I want to tell you
12:56 why my support should carry some weight.
12:58 I voted against prop q last year, but I know the difference between a tax rate election and
13:02 a bond. A tre pre permanently raises the rate for ongoing operations.
13:07 A bond is a voter approved debt for specific capital projects spread across the generation's.
13:12 Full benefit from them.
13:13 Saying no to one and saying yes to the other is an inconsistency.
13:17 It's exactly the the discernment you should want from voters.