City Council adopted Austin's $6.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on Aug. 12 alongside a property tax increase and other adjustments to city rates and fees. During and after their deliberations, officials weighed in on their support or opposition to the final spending plan that passed 9-2.

The details: Most council members who voted for the FY 2026-27 budget highlighted the month-long review process that led up to their final decision, and the millions of dollars in funding that were maintained for the city's extensive social service programs.

On the other hand, Mayor Kirk Watson and council member Marc Duchen criticized the decision to advance a budget without deeper cuts and more focus on the expenses being passed on to residents. Both voted against adopting the final FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate.

Residents will be able to view the completed spending plan in October, when Austin's next fiscal year begins.

Stay up to date with the latest Northwest Austin business news—a collection of newly opened, coming soon, relocations and closings.

Now open
Studio Blu Natural Skin Care
The business, run by licensed esthetician Jessica Blu Heron and her mother Jeri Heron, offers facials, waxing, brows and lashes, skin peels, dermaplaning and more.

• 13625 Pond Springs Road, Ste. 102, Austin

Precious Chinese BBQ
The fast-casual Cantonese restaurant features a signature specialty known as siu mei, or Hong Kong barbecue. Meats such as duck pork are seasoned with spices and “meticulously” roasted, according to the company’s website.

• 11815 RM 620 N., Ste. 4, Austin

Duff's Famous Wings
The chicken wing chain, based out of Buffalo, New York, opened a location down the road from Lakeline Mall, in the same shopping center as Interstellar BBQ. Duff’s offers both traditional and boneless wings, which come with a variety of buffalo and specialty sauces. 

• 12233 FM 620 N., Ste. 205, Austin

The Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14.

"We use [A-F ratings] as a way to evaluate our own performance as adults, and then build action plans so that the way that we run our schools next year can be even better than last year," Education Commissioner Mike Morath said during an Aug. 14 news conference.

The overview: Across the state, 85% of campuses received a C rating or higher, which is considered “acceptable" academic performance.

Schools are rated based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

Zooming in: At least one district, Austin ISD, is at risk of being taken over by the TEA after two of its middle school campuses received their fifth consecutive failing grades this year. State law requires the agency to shutter those campuses or take control of the district.

Any potential state-mandated closures or takeovers will not happen immediately, as districts with concerns about their ratings have through Sept. 11 to appeal scores to the TEA.

Check out some of the most-read stories about the Austin area from Aug. 10-13. 

1. Franklin Barbecue to temporarily close in East Austin

2. Cedar Park officials approve $5.6M for transportation, community projects

3. New running shoe store to open in San Marcos outlets

4. Claw machine arcade coming soon to New Braunfels

5. Discount Tire opens second location in Georgetown

6. H-E-B plans store upgrades in Pflugerville