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Austin faces shrinking tax rolls with budget cuts ahead

Austin anticipates declining value on its tax rolls to support city operations this year, thanks to a slowdown in local development activity and rising property tax challenges or exemptions.

The details: Overall taxable value is now in line to decline for the second straight year as city officials expect to face another challenging budgeting cycle this summer. Slower than expected construction, increased business tax exemptions and widespread property appraisal appeals are among the factors cited by the city for the changes.

What's next: Coming up, City Council will be discussing other aspects of city finances and potential tax increases as the fiscal year 2026-27 budgeting process gets underway.

 
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Austin Public Library launches centennial library card art contest

As the Austin Public Library approaches 100 years of service in the community, officials are planning several events to commemorate the occasion.

APL officials recently announced a public art contest for new card designs.

“Austin Public Library has always been shaped by the community it serves,” Austin Public Library Director Hannah Terrell said in a news release. “This contest is a celebration of Austin’s creative spirit, and an opportunity for Austinites of all ages to contribute to our Centennial Celebrations and be a part of defining what the next century of Austin Public Library will look like.”

At a glance: The contest is open to cardholders of all ages who are residents of the APL service area. City of Austin employees are not eligible.

The contest features different themes for different age groups, including:

  • Children (0-12): “The Library’s 100th Birthday Party”
  • Teens (13-17): “Austin Public Library’s Next Century”
  • Adults (18 and up): “Inspiring All to Discover, Learn and Create”
 

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Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Encore for the Palace: A Benefit Concert

Austin Reggae Festival

April 17-18, 7:30 p.m.
Georgetown

April 17-19
Austin

More info

More info

 

Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration

Springfest

April 18, 9 a.m.-noon
New Braunfels

April 18, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Bastrop

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Texas education board moves forward with first mandatory K-12 reading list

The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students would be required to read beginning in 2030.

What happened: The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which board members and educators criticized as too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed off on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10.

The details: The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. While students learn about world religions today, Texans testified that if the reading list is approved, it would be the first time in recent history that state leaders mandate religious readings in the classroom.  

Next steps: Board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the reading list in June. If approved, the list will be used in classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.

 

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