🗞️ CivicIn7 Austin | Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Budgets, Bills & Big Votes
Be the most informed neighbor in Austin — in 7 minutes or less.
TL;DR
🏫 AISD: Final comment window closes Tue, Nov 19; board vote Thu, Nov 20 on a now-10-school closure plan (down from 13).
💸 City Budget: Prop Q failed; Council working a $109.5 million revision with work sessions Thu, Nov 13 & Tue, Nov 18.
⚡ Utilities: FY26 rates took effect Sat, Nov 1; Austin Energy base +5%, adding about $9.54/month to a typical full-service bill.
🗣️ Speak at Council: Registration for Thu, Nov 20 opens Mon, Nov 17 @ 10 a.m.
🏷️ This Week: PUCT open meeting Fri, Nov 14 (9:30 a.m.); CapMetro board Mon, Nov 17 (noon).
🏛️ LEAD STORY — HIGH PRIORITY
Austin’s Budget Squeeze: Prop Q Fails, Rates Rise, Cuts Under Debate
Voters rejected Proposition Q (about 63% “no”), removing roughly $110 million in planned property-tax revenue. City Manager T.C. Broadnax has sent Council a revised FY26 budget; work sessions are scheduled Thu, Nov 13 and Tue, Nov 18, with final adoption expected next week.
Direct Austin Impact:
Residents will see lower property-tax increases than originally planned (~$105/year vs. $300), but November bills already reflect the new utility rates, adding ≈ $9.54/month for most households. Council is weighing $109.5 million in service cuts spanning EMS, homeless-services contracts, parks, and reserve funds.
Civic Engagement:
Budget Work Sessions: Thu, Nov 13 & Tue, Nov 18 (City Hall).
Review the revised budget: City Council calendar & EDIMS portal.
🚸 RUNDOWN — MEDIUM PRIORITY
AISD Consolidation Vote Next Week
Austin ISD’s board will decide Thu, Nov 20 on a revised consolidation plan closing 10 schools (down from 13 after Bryker Woods, Maplewood, and Palm were removed). “Comment Card 2” is open through Tue, Nov 19. Nearly every campus (about 98%) faces new boundaries for 2025–26.
Direct Austin Impact:
Families should expect updated feeder patterns and potential relocations. Updated maps will be posted Thu, Nov 14.
Civic Engagement:
Submit feedback by Tue, Nov 19 and follow the vote via AISD BoardDocs or live stream from district headquarters.
State Regulators Meet Friday on Energy Markets
The Public Utility Commission of Texas convenes Fri, Nov 14 at 9:30 a.m. to review ERCOT market design and transmission-cost rules that flow through to Austin rates.
Direct Austin Impact:
Decisions could influence how Austin Energy passes grid and transmission costs to local bills.
Civic Engagement:
Watch live via AdminMonitor or submit comments through the PUCT portal.
CapMetro Board Meets Monday on Service and Facilities
CapMetro’s Board of Directors meets Mon, Nov 17 at noon to discuss service adjustments and infrastructure tied to Project Connect.
Direct Austin Impact:
Potential changes to bus frequencies, Red Line service, and facility construction could affect daily commutes.
Civic Engagement:
Review the agenda and comment online before the meeting.
🗓️ BRIEF MENTIONS — LOW PRIORITY
Council Speaker Registration: Opens Mon, Nov 17 @ 10 a.m. for the Thu, Nov 20 meeting.
Mobility Committee: Meets Thu, Nov 13 (1 p.m.); Special Called Council session also listed that day — check Legistar for updates.
📊 BY THE NUMBERS
10 — Schools on AISD’s final closure list (down from 13).
$109.5 million — City budget reduction following Prop Q’s defeat, including cuts of ~$6.3M to EMS, ~$38M to homeless services, and ~$40M from reserves.
+$9.54/month — Average increase for a full City utility bundle starting with November bills.
🗓️ CIVIC CALENDAR
Thu, Nov 13 | 10:00 a.m. — City Council Budget Work Session — City Hall
Thu, Nov 13 | 1:00 p.m. — City Council Mobility Committee — Legistar agenda
Fri, Nov 14 | 9:30 a.m. — PUCT Open Meeting — Livestream available
Mon, Nov 17 | 11:00 a.m. — City Council Special Called Session
Mon, Nov 17 | 12:00 p.m. — CapMetro Board of Directors — CapMetro Legistar
Tue, Nov 19 | End of Day — AISD “Comment Card 2” feedback deadline
Thu, Nov 20 | 10:00 a.m. — City Council Regular Meeting — public testimony day
Thu, Nov 20 | All Day — AISD Board of Trustees vote on consolidation plan
🌆 HAPPENING NEAR YOU
🎨 East Austin Studio Tour — Final weekend Sat–Sun, Nov 16–17 — Free self-guided art tour.
🛍️ Blue Genie Art Bazaar — Opens Fri, Nov 14 — Local holiday market at the Highland venue.
💡 HOW TO ENGAGE RIGHT NOW
✍️ Submit AISD Feedback: “Comment Card 2” due Tue, Nov 19.
🗣️ Speak at Council: Register Mon, Nov 17 @ 10 a.m. for the Thu, Nov 20 meeting.
⚡ Watch PUCT Meeting: Fri, Nov 14 @ 9:30 a.m. (livestream).
💰 Share Budget Priorities: Take the City budget survey through Sun, Dec 1.
