Austin City Council approved a resolution Oct. 8 directing city staff to plan the city’s next comprehensive bond elections for fiscal years 2028 and 2034, aiming to return Austin to a six-year bond cycle.

The resolution passed less than a month before voters decide on $295 million in parks and library bonds on the Nov. 3 ballot. It doesn’t change that ballot.

The details: Bonds let the city borrow money for projects such as parks, roads and libraries. A comprehensive bond package covers many types of projects at once.

The planned packages would cover transportation, parks, affordable housing, libraries, public safety and drainage. Specific projects, amounts and election dates haven’t been set, and voters would still have to approve each package.

Cost to the taxpayers: Bonds are repaid through property taxes. Every $100 million borrowed costs a typical homeowner just over $14 a year, and the city has almost $2.4 billion in outstanding debt, Community Impact reported in August.

Austin homeowners will see five local taxing entities on their bills this fall, with falling property values shaping each rate decision. For a $500,000 Austin homestead, the five entities add up to about $8,215 this year. Two entities set rates below their no-new-revenue rates, while three went above.

• The City of Austin adopted a rate of $0.579948 per $100, the maximum allowed without an election.

• Travis County adopted a rate of $0.386210 per $100, which is above its no-new-revenue rate.

• Central Health set a rate of $0.132863 per $100, with new revenue designated for mental health care.

• Austin ISD adopted a rate of $0.9184 per $100 of taxable value, which is below its no-new-revenue rate.

• Austin Community College adopted a rate of $0.103643 per $100, falling below its no-new-revenue rate.

This year's tax bills are due Feb. 1, 2027.

Austin and Dripping Springs ISDs are dealing with heat and new tax rates this fall. Here's what you should know.

AC upgrades delayed: Austin ISD's bond-funded air-conditioning upgrades are behind schedule at four campuses. Work did not start as planned this summer at Kealing Middle School, Kiker and Baranoff elementary schools, and LASA. Three of them are among 11 campuses that reported air-conditioning problems as highs topped 100 degrees for weeks. Officials blamed long equipment delivery times, design requirements and coordination across campuses. The Community Bond Oversight Committee meets Oct. 13.

AISD tax rate drops: The Austin ISD school board adopted a rate of $0.9184 per $100, down from $0.9252 last year and below the district's no-new-revenue rate. The district projects the median homeowner's bill will fall from $3,525 to $3,461. Bills are due Feb. 1, 2027.

DSISD taxes rise despite lower rates: Dripping Springs ISD also lowered its rate, to $1.0985 per $100 of valuation. But because the average taxable home value rose to $562,547, the average homeowner will pay about $21 more.

Read six trending Austin-area stories from Oct. 5-9.

1. Scrambles now open in Pflugerville

2. Gringo's Mexican Kitchen coming to Northline

3. COTA sets sights on water park, resort

4. Project LeanNation now open in Georgetown

5. Ascension Seton acquires 3 Family Health System facilities

6. Austin leaders look to local preparations as air taxis take off in Texas

Ahead of Texas' 2027 legislative session, the state comptroller's office has asked lawmakers to double funding for its $1 billion education savings account program.

The overview: The program gives participating families taxpayer dollars for private education and homeschooling, and officials said at least $2 billion are needed to maintain current participation in the program.

Meanwhile, some Texas families are raising concerns about their local school districts losing money as students leave public schools to participate in the program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What they're saying: "149 students have accepted vouchers that were otherwise enrolled in Pflugerville ISD, [resulting in] an estimated loss of $1.2 million in attendance funding," said Stacy Harrell, a PfISD parent. "That lost funding will add to budget cuts that are already affecting Pflugerville ISD families. Four elementary schools [are closing], with the possibility of more."