AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin is preparing to release a new proposed budget following the decisive failure of Proposition Q, which would have raised property taxes by 20 percent. Voters rejected the measure earlier this week, sending city leaders back to the drawing board.
Under state law, Austin cannot increase property taxes by more than 3.5 percent without holding another tax rate election, a prospect that is unlikely. Discussions among council members now focus on reducing expenditures rather than seeking new revenue.
District 10 Councilmember Marc Duchen, the only member of the Austin City Council to vote against putting Proposition Q on the ballot, said he welcomes the chance to reexamine the city’s finances. “I’m glad that we are going to have the opportunity to look at the budget again,” Duchen said…