Austin officials approved a $6.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, alongside a higher property tax increase that must be approved in a civic election this fall.

"It is time for us to trust our voters," Mayor Kirk Watson said after City Council's Aug. 14 vote triggering a tax rate election.

By the numbers

Austin's tax rate will jump from $0.4776 to $0.574017 per $100 in property value—a more than 20% increase requiring voter authorization. A failed TRE would drop the rate to the highest level allowed without triggering an election.

The "typical" resident—defined by the city as owning a median-valued home with standard utility and service use—could expect to pay almost $420 more in the coming year under the council-approved spending plan. That increase includes about $300 mo

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