AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Commissioners Court approved the county’s 2025 fiscal year budget on Tuesday.
Commissioners voted to approve a $1.97 billion budget. An estimated $75.8 million portion of the budget hinges on a proposed 2.5-cent increase in the Tax Rate Election for childcare, or TRE, which is up to voters to decide in November.
The budget is balanced at a tax rate of 34.4445 cent per $100 of taxable value, according to a release from Travis County.
The county’s release said the budget “makes significant investments in various service and program areas.” Those include public safety, the justice system, corrections and rehabilitation, health and human services, infrastructure and environmental services, community and economic development, and general government operations, per the release.
“The investments reflect the Travis County Commissioners Court’s goal and mission to make Travis County a place where all people can thrive with dignity and respect,” the release said.
Budget highlights from the Commissioners Court are listed below:
- $15.5 million earmark for up to two shifts per day for the Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) program.
- $1.7 million in additional funds to ensure the Travis County Clerk’s Office has sufficient resources for the upcoming November 2024 Presidential and General Elections. These funds include personnel and operating resources to support safe and fair elections, including necessary staff to help identify new polling locations in compliance with the Department of Justice standards.
- $750,000 to increase funding needed to complete the Collaborative Northeast District Plan, bringing the Travis County contribution to $1 million, matching the City of Austin’s contribution.
- $1.8 million in indigent defense and legal fees, including additional resources for anticipated Civil and Criminal court appointed attorney fees and additional staff and resources for the Public Defender’s Office.
- $1.19 million for the County Attorney’s Office to assist with early case review, the mental health expedited docket initiative, and provide new permanent resources for increased staff for the Family Violence and Protective Order programs.
- $5 million for Travis County Parks to enhance park facilities and resources for the benefit of the community. This will improve park operations by allocating funds for an additional 5,000 work hours for seasonal employees and two new Park Ranger positions. Also includes a one-time funding to develop a master plan to guide the development and improvement of Travis County’s newest parks, RGK Park, Reimers Ranch Park, and Hamilton Pool Preserve.
- $2.7 million for continuing mental and behavioral health support services to serve individuals with serious mental health conditions. This includes ongoing personnel funding to convert a special project worker to a permanent full-time employee to continue work related to the Opioid Crisis Declaration.
- $556,018 for STAR Flight to add a new full-time Registered Flight Nurse and to ensure STAR Flight has supplies and equipment needed to operate from the new STAR Flight West Base in Blanco County.
- $1 million in ongoing resources to increase the mental health services contract with Integral Care and expand the contract to provide additional services, reducing wait times for care for jail inmates.
- $10 million in the general fund capital budget along with $15 million in the 2023 Bond Program will bring substandard, unmaintained roads into Travis County’s network. This is an effort to improve emergency vehicle and bus access, as well as address safety and traffic volume concerns for those roads.
- Investments in County workforce that includes maintaining health benefits as well as an across-the-board pay raise.
“The investments approved in our FY25 budget reflect Travis County’s deep commitment to supporting our community,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown in a statement. “From funding counsel at first appearance to expanding mental health services and enhancing our county parks, we are making critical investments that promote justice, wellness, and access to green spaces. This budget is a reflection of our shared values and dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive Travis County.”
Property tax impact
The county said its portion of the property tax bill is estimated to increase by $287.77. It also includes an increase of $125.98, related to the Tax Rate Election on November’s ballot.
The county said property taxes are the primary source of revenue for Texas counties, and Travis County’s FY25 budget tax includes a 2.5-cent property tax rate increase set to be voted on in November. The proposed increase would go toward creating new affordable child care.
Overall, the county said the budget tax increased by less than 4 cents, including the extra 2.5.
The Commissioners Court has for over 40 years provided tax relief to homeowners with a 20 percent general homestead exemption, the highest percentage allowed by statute, and additional exemptions for homeowners 65 and older or disabled. In June 2024, the Commissioners Court increased the Optional 65 and Older or Disabled Homestead for Tax Year 2024 (Fiscal Year 2025) from $124,000 to $136,400. This change will lower the County portion of the property tax bill for those taxpayers with a 65 and Older or Disabled Homestead Exemption by $42.71 compared to if the previous exemption was still in place using the tax rate to balance the FY25 Adopted Budget.
Travis County press release
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