Austin budgets $12M for Central Texas higher education partnerships
Austin officials sign off on new collaborative agreements with six Central Texas colleges and universities meant to result in a range of new projects and public research.
City partnerships with area higher education institutions isn't a new concept, and a formal agreement with The University of Texas at Austin has been in place for years. However, city leadership recently decided that official partnerships could improve that work—and further collaboration between colleges and universities.
Following City Council authorization in September, Austin departments could spend up to $12 million on various projects, research, trainings and other initiatives under the agreements now set to go into place.
Cedar Park Public Library awarded ULI Austin’s 2025 Best Public Place award
The Cedar Park Public Library was recognized by ULI (Urban Land Institute) Austin at the 2025 Impact Awards as the Best Public Place on Aug. 27. The award recognizes a completed development that gives the public an enhanced experience or space. Other finalists for the award include EastVillage, Pathways at Chalmers Courts and Rainey Street Trailhead.
The background: The new 47,000 square foot library opened in November 2024 and includes indoor and outdoor kids play areas, a makers space, computers and internet access, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The library is part of the Bell District, a mixed-use development that will include places for people to live, dine and connect upon completion. The Bell District is a partnership between RedLeaf, a development firm, and the city of Cedar Park.
Cedar Park tax bills set to increase after city adopts budget, tax rate
The average homeowner in Cedar Park will see a $96 increase in taxes paid to the city in fiscal year 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25.
The jump comes after Cedar Park City Council passed the city’s FY 2025-26 budget and set the FY 2025-26 property tax rate at $0.36 per $100 of taxable value at its Sept. 11 meeting.
What residents need to know:In a presentation to City Council, interim Director of Finance Erica Solis said the budget totaled $215.2 million.
“The general fund is the largest component of this at $82.8 [million],” she said. “That funds the day-to-day operations for the city.”
What else? The property tax rate of $0.36 will be applied to every $100 of taxable property.
Though the adopted tax rate is a decrease from the prior rate, the city saw a 4.9% growth in taxable value, Solis said. The city’s taxable value jumped from $15 billion in FY 2024-25 to $15.73 billion in FY 2025-26.
2 Austin homeless shelters to change operator after allegedly 'misrepresented' records found
Nonprofit Urban Alchemy's contract with the Austin Homeless Strategy Office, or HSO, to operate the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, or ARCH, and the Eighth Street Women’s Shelter will not renew. The decision comes after some staff, identified by Urban Alchemy, "misrepresented Homeless Management Information System exit dates and records," according to a city memo.
What happened: An Urban Alchemy spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Community Impact that the nonprofit notified Austin officials after discovering the issue and terminated the employees responsible.
What's next: HSO officials plan to enter into an emergency contract with Endeavors, which City Council will need to approve Oct. 9. The agreement would authorize Endeavors to operate the shelters through Sept. 30, 2026. HSO officials will begin the process of seeking a new operator for the shelters Oct. 1, 2026, according to the memo.
"We are grateful for our years of partnership with the city of Austin and to the community and guests we served and impacted," an Urban Alchemy spokesperson said.
