Good Morning, Southwest Austin & Dripping Springs!

Top Story
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.

 
On The Business Beat
Painted Tree Boutiques closes all locations, including Sunset Valley

Painted Tree Boutiques closed after two years of business in Sunset Valley. The closure impacted all Painted Tree locations, according to Painted Tree's website.

The background: The store hosted a variety of small business owners under one store, offering gifts, decor, clothing and more. Shop owners were able to customize their space, and Painted Tree retail staff supported the owners by handling daily transactions.

Painted Tree Boutiques opened April 6, 2024, in Sunset Valley and replaced what was once Bed Bath & Beyond. This was the 10th location for Painted Tree in Texas and the 40th in the United States. The company was owned and operated by Corey Gillum and Mike Cavallo, who are based in Arkansas, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

  • 5400 Brodie Lane, Ste. 300, Austin
 

Austin-area schools are more than the STAAR test

SPONSORED CONTENT
 
Latest News
Mercer Street Paseo makes progress in downtown Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs residents will soon have access to more pedestrian infrastructure as the city moves forward with the Mercer Street Paseo project.

The big picture: In 2025, the Mercer Street Paseo was identified as a Tax Incentive Reinvestment Zone priority project.

The paseo will feature:

  • Lighting for night-time navigation
  • Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk connecting to the Stephenson building
  • Shade trees and foliage
  • Drainage

City officials plan to plant native plants and trees for low maintenance and high durability.

The project is funded by the TIRZ; $180,250 was allocated in the fiscal year 2026 budget.

 

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.

In Your Community
Travis County $75M affordable child care initiative underway with scholarships, expansion plans

Child care scholarships, after-school care and other efforts are underway to grow a voter-approved initiative to provide more affordable child care for low-income families in Travis County.

The big picture: In 2024, voters approved increasing the county's tax rate to generate $75 million for Raising Travis County. So far, the county has awarded more than $28 million to the Workforce Solutions Capital Area nonprofit, local school districts and other community organizations.

An additional $17 million in child care contracts is set to go before the Travis County Commissioner Court for approval.

Current situation: The county has awarded $17.34 million to Workforce Solutions Capital Area to cover 1,000 child care scholarships annually for children up to 3 years old. The organization has also received $4.16 million for quality improvements, including teacher raises or curriculum, Meunier said.

Looking ahead: Travis County is seeking to offer contracted slots by paying child care providers to reserve seats for low-income families. The county also plans to assist providers in offering child care during nontraditional working hours.

 

Your local team

Elle Bent
Editor

Heather Demere
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Keep Reading

(512) 989-6808

TERMS OF SERVICE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2005-2025 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved.