AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday took up a vote on Central Health’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and tax rate.
Commissioners ultimately approved the Travis County hospital district’s $1.1 billion budget and 11.8023¢ tax rate. Central Health’s Board of Managers approved it on Sept. 10. That tax rate means the average homestead will pay about $64 more per year.
The budget proposal was named the “Year of Access,” as the budget aims to “improve access, strengthen outcomes, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and sustainably,” according to a prior press release from Central Health.
The release also noted that this year’s budget represents the first time Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers, and Sendero Health Plans are planning together under one coordinated budget and shared set of goals.
Central Health projects it will do the following with the budget:
- Serve more than 209,000 people across Travis County.
- Deliver more than 1.2 million visits and 11,700 episodes of care across inpatient, outpatient, and case management.
- Provide services through 309 employed providers and a network of more than 11,000 contracted providers.
“This budget is not about numbers. It’s about people and trust,” Dr. Pat Lee, Central Health president & CEO, said in the release. “Together with our partners, we are building a health system worthy of Travis County. One where every resident has a fair chance to live a healthier, fuller life.”
During that discussion Tuesday, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard recognized the extra expense homeowners will face, but said that’s something that has happened across the board this cycle. Travis County also voted to raise its property tax rate Tuesday.
“It is expensive for residents that our school district, our hospital district, our city, our county, because of disaster, are all raising taxes,” Howard said. “It’s something we have to be accountable to each other that we’re spending every penny in a way that makes life better for everyone.”
The new budget will go into effect Oct. 1. Central Health highlighted the following key priorities for the budget:
Expanding Access and Reducing Wait Times
- Goal to cut appointment wait times to two weeks or less for primary and specialty care
- Reduce avoidable emergency room visits and hospital readmissions by 10%
- Expand enrollment in coverage such as the Medical Access Program (MAP) and MAP Basic by 5%
Protecting Care Through Uncertain Times
- More than $33 million dedicated to services supporting the unhoused community
- Safeguarding access to local clinics despite reductions in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies
Smart Growth and Taxpayer Value
- Reduce system duplication by 50% through vendor consolidation, shared services, and streamlined contracts.
- Increase non-tax revenue by 2% through grants, philanthropy, and reimbursements.
- Launch a Community Support Index to measure public trust and increase engagements.
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