Austin ISD trustees voted 7-1 to adopt an $887 million budget for 2026-27, reversing an earlier plan that would have moved librarian positions to part-time at nearly two dozen campuses.

By the numbers: The district's reduction package totals $205 million, after its fund balance was projected to fall to roughly 10% of operating expenditures, below its standard policy.

Trustees restored full-time librarians by drawing $1.1 million from that reserve, with a plan to offset the cost in August.

What's next: The board formally adopts the district's tax rate by Sept. 30. The proposed rate would lower the median Austin homeowner's tax bill slightly, from $3,525 to $3,461.

Austin-based burger stand P. Terry's announced on social media June 17 that its flagship location, located at 5701 N. I-35 in Austin, will close at the end of June.

The details: Founder Patrick Terry stated in a social media video that the closure is due to the ongoing Texas Department of Transportation I-35 expansion project. A representative for the business did not immediately respond to Community Impact's inquiry for further details about the closure.  

The restaurant is known for its all-natural burgers, fresh-cut fries and hand-spun milkshakes. The menu also features chicken, breakfast items, and desserts such as banana bread and cookies. 

• 5701 N. I-35, Austin

Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously June 16 to continue the local disaster declaration County Judge Andy Brown issued June 12 over the threat of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that can affect livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, people, according to the county's continuing order. 

The first U.S. case in a decade surfaced June 3 on a calf in La Pryor, in Zavala County near the Texas-Mexico border.

What it means: Brown emphasized the action was not a response to a confirmed local case, while Austin Public Health authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said the risk to humans remains low, although open wounds remain vulnerable. 

Residents who suspect a screwworm case involving wildlife should contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; cases involving livestock and pets should go to the Texas Animal Health Commission, which is leading the state's response.

What to watch for: Residents concerned about a possible human infection should reach an on-call epidemiologist through Austin Public Health at 512-972-5555.

Voters will decide this fall whether to adopt a new requirement for citywide third-party audits, on the heels of City Council's approval of a separate recurring "efficiency assessment" program.

The details: The concept of wide-ranging external auditing was supported by officials in the wake of last November's failed tax rate election, and council adopted a citywide audit program as proposed by Mayor Kirk Watson earlier this year. However, calls for additional reviews continued from outside City Hall.

The political group Save Austin Now, a top donor against Proposition Q, had pushed for third-party city auditing since last year through a petition for an "Independent Affordability and Efficiency Initiative" of Austin's government, which it submitted it to the city for certification on June 2.

On June 22, the petition was certified with more than 20,000 registered voters in support and the measure will appear on Austin's November ballot. 

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation project updates.

Upcoming projects
RM 1431 road and intersection improvements
Project: The project will span New Hope Drive to Bagdad Road, and the intersection of RM 1431/Whitestone Boulevard and 183A Toll in Cedar Park.
Update: Preliminary engineering and design of the intersection is next. 

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $11.9 million (road), $15.9 million (intersection)
• Funding source: city of Cedar Park, Mobility Authority, Surface Transportation Block Grant

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $5.8 million
• Funding source: Type B sales tax

• Timeline: 2023-26
• Cost: $91.5 million
• Funding source: Waterloo Greenway, city of Austin Tax Increment funding, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers