CivicIn7 Austin | Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Subject: $3.35M Flood Relief Disbursed; City Finalizes Budget, Transit, and Water Forward Shifts
TL;DR
$3.35M in flood relief (⚠️) has been distributed to 115 families; Round 2 applications are open through Jan. 31.
The City’s amended $6.3B budget (✅) combined with new FY26 utility rates (✅) raises typical household costs by about $18.54/month.
CapMetro’s Transit Plan 2035 (✅/⚠️) is approved — bus routes drop 61 → 55 with more frequent service starting in 2026.
Austin Water (✅) has withdrawn the Bastrop ASR project, prompting a rethink of the long-range Water Forward plan.
Travis County (✅) is weighing two major affordable-housing RONOs and key mental-health/homelessness contracts in today’s voting session.
Lead Story
Flood Relief Fund Delivers $3.35M to July Storm Survivors — Round 2 Applications Now Open
What happened
Regional partners have now distributed $3.35 million in direct cash assistance to 115 families in Travis and Williamson counties who were hit by the July 5 floods (⚠️). About $2.5M went to 80 Travis County households, and $1M went to 34 Williamson County households, with grants ranging from $500 to $100,000 and averaging just over $30,000 per family.
This is the first round of support funded by Travis County CARES, WilCo CARES, and the Band Together Texas benefit concert—about $8M raised so far toward a $10M regional recovery goal (⚠️). Round 2 applications (✅) are now open through January 31, 2026, with the Central Texas Community Foundation managing intake and eligibility.
What it means for you
For families in the floodplain and along creeks, this is flexible cash that can fill gaps insurance and FEMA miss—home repairs, mold remediation, temporary housing, vehicle replacement, food, and counseling. Low-income and uninsured residents are prioritized, which can reduce long-term displacement and neighborhood blight in some of the hardest-hit areas (⚠️).
Even if you weren’t flooded, faster recovery in affected neighborhoods helps the broader community by stabilizing property values, public health, and local schools.
How to engage
If you were flooded in Travis or Williamson County:
Check eligibility and apply for Round 2 (✅) via the Central Texas Community Foundation’s Travis CARES / WilCo CARES portals.
Gather proof of residence, income documentation, and repair estimates/photos before you start.
If you want to help:
Donate directly to the Central Texas flood relief funds (✅) to help close the remaining $2M funding gap.
Follow Travis County and Williamson County briefings on long-term mitigation projects (drainage, sirens, buyouts).
The Rundown (Medium Priority)
1. Amended City Budget: Smaller Tax Hike, Higher Utility Bills, Trimmed Services
What happened
After voters rejected Proposition Q, Austin City Council approved an amended FY 2025–26 budget totaling $6.3 billion (✅), cutting roughly $95 million from the August version while still adopting a modest property-tax increase (⚠️).
Media analyses estimate that a “typical” Austin homeowner will see about a $9/month City property-tax bump instead of roughly $25/month under Prop Q (⚠️). Meanwhile, the City’s FY26 rates and fees (✅) took effect November 1, adding an average $9.54/month to combined City utility bills for customers who receive all services.
What it means for you
If you own a home, expect both a slightly higher City tax bill and higher utilities, even as some service expansions are scaled back. Renters may feel this indirectly as costs roll into rents. Cuts land mostly on “expansion” items—enhanced parks maintenance, homelessness initiatives, EMS/public-safety enhancements—rather than core operations (⚠️).
How to engage
Review the amended budget (✅) and department-level changes at austintexas.gov/budget.
Watch the Audit & Finance Committee (✅) tomorrow and the Dec. 11 Council meeting for mid-year adjustments and follow-up audits.
2. Audit & Finance Committee Takes On ABIA Contracts, IT Security, and Office Expense Rules (Tomorrow)
What’s happening
Tomorrow (Wed, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.), Council’s Audit & Finance Committee (✅) meets at City Hall to review:
An audit of Aviation Department contract and vendor management at ABIA,
An audit of badge/access-control systems,
A proposed office-holder expense policy,
A briefing on pensions and other post-employment benefits.
What it means for you
This is where the City stress-tests how it spends public money and how it protects critical facilities. The expense-policy and ethics discussions go to the heart of trust and transparency at City Hall (⚠️).
How to engage
Watch live via ATXN (City Channel 6 / online stream).
Use the speaker sign-up portal (✅) if you want to comment.
3. CapMetro’s Transit Plan 2035: Fewer Routes, More Frequency, Rail Coordination
What happened
CapMetro’s Board voted 5–1 to adopt Transit Plan 2035 (✅)—a 10-year roadmap that reduces bus routes from 61 → 55 (⚠️) while shifting resources to higher-frequency corridors, new park-and-rides, and connections coordinated with Project Connect light rail. Council Member Paige Ellis cast the lone no vote.
What it means for you
Expect shorter waits on major corridors and improved airport and east–west connections beginning in 2026, but more transfers in areas losing lower-ridership routes—especially parts of Southwest Austin (⚠️).
How to engage
Explore CapMetro’s Transit Plan 2035 maps (✅) to see projected changes.
Participate in public meetings and surveys during each service-change phase (⚠️).
4. Austin Water Backs Off Bastrop Aquifer Storage Project, Re-opens Water Forward Playbook
What happened
Austin Water has stopped pursuing an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project in Bastrop County, withdrawing a collaboration agreement with Aqua WSC (✅). After technical study and months of local opposition, staff will evaluate alternatives to fulfill Water Forward goals.
What it means for you
Your current water service and rates don’t change today, but the City has removed one of its key long-term supply options. Water Forward may now lean more heavily on reuse, conservation, or alternative ASR sites (⚠️) depending on future analysis.
How to engage
Follow today’s Climate, Water, Environment & Parks Committee (✓) and monitor Council agendas for Water Forward updates.
Participate in upcoming Water Forward public input opportunities.
5. Travis County to Weigh Affordable Housing Projects and Social-Service Contracts (Today)
What’s happening
At today’s 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Court voting session (✓), Travis County will consider Resolutions of No Objection (RONOs) for two LIHTC projects—Tapestry at Easton Park and Ledgestone Landing—alongside contracts supporting Integral Care and Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
What it means for you
These projects could bring hundreds of income-restricted units online and solidify mental-health and homelessness services. Housing outcomes and social-service capacity are directly tied to neighborhood stability and affordability.
How to engage
Watch the meeting live via the Travis County streaming portal (✓).
Provide public comment in person or online.
Brief Mentions (Low)
Settlement Guarantees Lawyers at First Court Appearance in Travis County
A federal settlement between Travis County and civil-rights groups (✓) will guarantee legal counsel at the first court appearance for people facing potential incarceration who cannot afford a lawyer, building on the CAFA pilot.
Urban Empowerment Zone I: 80 Permanent Supportive Homes in East Austin
The City and AHFC (✓) have broken ground on UEZ I, an 80-unit Permanent Supportive Housing development with long-term affordability and on-site support services.
New Texas Laws Start Hitting in December and January
Beginning Dec. 4 and through January 2026, new Texas laws on testing, bathrooms, abortion pill enforcement, redistricting, and quorum-breaking begin taking effect (⚠️).
Giving Tuesday, Half-Price Ubers, and a Freeze Warning
Today is Giving Tuesday (⚠️), with campaigns through AmplifyATX.org.
The Downtown Austin Alliance continues its half-price Uber pilot (⚠️).
A freeze warning (✓) hit parts of the region early this morning.
Happening Near You (Community Life)
Giving Tuesday – All Day (⚠️): Support hundreds of nonprofits at AmplifyATX.org.
Half-Price Uber to/from Downtown (⚠️): 50% off rides through Jan. 1 while available.
Holiday Markets & Events (⚠️): Ongoing throughout December across Downtown, SoCo, and East Austin.
By the Numbers
$3.35M (⚠️) — Direct aid distributed to 115 flood-impacted families.
$18.54/month (✓/⚠️) — Combined impact of property-tax + utility increases for a typical household.
61 → 55 routes (⚠️) — Reduction in bus routes under Transit Plan 2035.
Civic Calendar
Today – Tue, Dec. 2, 2025
9:00 a.m. | Travis County Commissioners Court (✓)
9:30 a.m. | City Climate, Water, Environment & Parks Committee (✓)
Tomorrow – Wed, Dec. 3, 2025
9:30 a.m. | Audit & Finance Committee (✓)
1:00 p.m. | Public Health Committee (✓)
Next Week
Dec. 10 (10:00 a.m.) | CapMetro Finance Committee (✓)
Dec. 10 (12:30 p.m.) | CapMetro Operations Committee (✓)
Dec. 11 | Austin City Council – Regular Meeting (✓)
Dec. 18 | AISD Board of Trustees – Regular Voting Meeting (✓)
