Austin leaders approved a record $6.63 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27. The spending plan was adopted alongside a higher tax rate that would increase the typical homeowner's property tax bill more than 8%.

The details: The new budget will be nearly 5% larger than the current $6.3 billion plan for FY 2025-26. Departments responsible for parks and libraries, public safety and health programs, and housing and homelessness services are included within the $1.54 billion general fund, which is growing about 3.6%.

Austin's FY 2026-27 tax rate was set at $0.579948 per $100 in property value, the maximum allowed under state law without seeking voter approval. The new rate will increase the typical annual property tax bill from $2,074 to about $2,250, based on the city's projected median homestead value of $484,907.

In a divided vote, officials also funded the start-up of a new joint emergency communications office to begin transitioning some of the city's 911 response system away from Austin Police oversight.

Hays County residents have the opportunity to provide feedback on an upcoming transportation project until Aug. 20.

The Dripping Springs Southwest Connection is intended to provide an alternative route to Hwy. 290, increase capacity and enhance connectivity as the region grows, according to the county’s road project website.

“The County is focused on proactively planning for a transportation network that best responds to continued population growth, changing travel patterns and increasing transportation demands in the area,” said Walt Smith, Hays County Precinct 4 commissioner.

The overview: County officials held an open house in Dripping Springs on Aug. 6 to field questions and provide information. Over 140 community members attended the event.

Improvements will include:

• Two lanes in each direction, divided by a median
• Shoulders on both sides
• Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations
• Water quality protection

The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved adding the first phase of the UT Dell Medical Center to UT’s capital improvement program at an Aug. 12 meeting.

The CIP is the university’s approved list of major capital projects. Adding the project to the CIP allows the project to move forward with early design and development preparation work.

The background: The UT Dell Medical Center will be a 27-acre medical complex planned to be equipped with a hospital tower, outpatient facilities, an emergency department and 300-500 patient beds for specialized care, according to documents from the UT Board of Regents.

The details: Phase I of the project is expected to cost up to $1 billion and will be funded from the university’s revenue financing system bonds.

What they're saying: “Today is a very big day,” UT Austin President James Davis said. “[The medical complex] will establish the clinical foundation for a new academic health enterprise. It will advance research, education, health professionals and serve patients and serve Texas for generations to come.”