AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council just approved and adopted its largest budget ever at $5.9 billion.
For context, the city of Dallas’ proposed budget is $4.97 billion. Despite its budget being a billion dollars less than Austin's Dallas has nearly 350,000 more residents.
Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly was the only person to vote against the budget.
Kelly says $5.9 billion is a glaring example of fiscal irresponsibility at a time when residents are struggling.
“I hear every day from constituents who tell me that they can barely afford to buy groceries at this time and that an additional tax burden on them would be problematic,” the District 6 Council Member told us on Inside Texas Politics.
According to the Austin American Statesman, the typical homeowner will likely see a $188.02 increase in their property tax bill, while water customers’ bills will increase $74.52 annually.
That doesn’t include a jump in energy bills and user fees for various services.
Add it all up, and even the city of Austin says the typical ratepayer will see an increase of $361.92 a year.
“By the napkin math that I did just this morning, the average homeowner is going to end up paying $1,137 in property taxes, which is more than $100 a month of what they’ve paid previously. That is a lot of money,” Kelly said.