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Austin, Dripping Springs school districts adopt deficit budgets for 2026-27

Each June, Texas public school districts adopt operational budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Read about two stories breaking down the budgets recently adopted by Austin and Dripping Springs ISDs.

1. Austin ISD adopts $887M operating budget: Austin ISD's board of trustees voted 7-1 to adopt an $887 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27 after a late-night discussion of amendments, reversing an earlier plan that would have moved librarian positions to part-time at nearly two dozen campuses.

2. Dripping Springs ISD OKs $104M budget: The DSISD board of trustees approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget at a June 22 meeting. The FY 2026-27 general operating budget includes $104.49 million in expenditures and a net shortfall of $1.98 million, a decrease from the current $2.04 million deficit.

 
City Coverage
Austin public safety departments report overtime spending overruns

New reporting from Austin's public safety departments shows their overtime costs are far exceeding departments' current allocations.

The details: Austin Fire, the Austin Police Department and Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services make up the majority of the city general fund, the portion of Austin's overall $6.3 billion budget covering most public facing services. Almost two-thirds of the $1.49 billion general fund is reserved for public safety in the current fiscal year 2025-26.

Last year, City Council voted to require public reporting of the three departments' overtime costs to help inform future budgeting decisions. That information is now available through monthly reporting accessible online.

What else: Spending activity reported through this spring shows APD and Austin Fire are well beyond their overtime budgets this year, while the EMS department several million dollars below its limit. As of the spring, the police department had nearly reached its fiscal year overtime allocation and the fire department already used over a third more than it has available.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Disney's The Little Mermaid

Friday Night Flix: Dive-In Movie: “Jaws”

July 10-25, 7:30 p.m.
San Marcos

July 10, dusk
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 

Round Rock Wine Fest

Buda’s Summer Musical

July 11, noon-6 p.m.
Round Rock

July 11-26, 8-10 p.m.
Buda

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Stay In The Know
West Austin Pet Hospital now open, offers urgent care

A new pet hospital offering care in West Lake Hill is now open.

The overview: West Austin Pet Hospital, owned by Dr. Sean Quintana, opened late last month. The hospital offers a range of services to care for pets, including wellness exams, blood work, vaccinations, surgery, dental care, microchipping and more.

What else: The facility also provides urgent care visits and emergency care.

Pet owners can utilize the hospital’s wellness plans to help keep track of routine care and comprehensive preventative services.

  • 701 Capital of Texas Hwy. S., Ste. N-480, West Lake Hills
 

Your local team

Sierra Martin
Senior Editor

Heather Demere
General Manager

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