⚡ TL;DR
City Council votes today on a $260M Austin Energy capital financing plan.
Travis County adopts its FY26 budget, approving an 8% effective property tax increase.
Austin Energy schedules a public hearing Oct 8 on winter rate adjustments.
AISD Board meets tonight at 6:00 PM.
📰 Lead Story
Council to Vote on $260M Austin Energy Capital Financing Plan
Austin City Council meets today at 10:00 AM. Item 4 would authorize the city to reimburse up to $260 million in tax-exempt bonds for Austin Energy’s FY26 capital projects—covering grid infrastructure, cybersecurity software, and utility equipment. Item 6 extends Austin Water’s GoPurple onsite-reuse pilot (~$4M).
Why it matters: This $260M decision keeps essential grid and infrastructure projects on track while preserving low-cost financing options that directly affect how future utility rates are set. By using tax-exempt bonds instead of higher-cost financing, Austin Energy can spread project costs over longer periods and pass smaller rate increases to customers rather than larger upfront charges for Austin Energy's half-million customers.
What you can do:
The Rundown
Travis County Adopts FY26 Budget, Approves 8% Effective Tax Increase
On Sept 23, Commissioners Court adopted its FY26 tax rate and budget. According to the county’s official notice, this represents an 8.0% effective increase, adding about $25 per $100,000 home value to the average bill. Some media outlets reported a higher 9.12% (~$200 impact), but that figure does not appear in county records.
Impact on you: Homeowners will pay more beginning Oct 1 to support law enforcement, courts, and emergency response.
Austin Energy Public Hearing on Winter Rate Adjustment
Austin Energy has scheduled a public hearing for Oct 8 at 6:00 PM to discuss adjustments to its Power Supply Adjustment charge, with changes potentially effective Nov 1. The adjustment reflects natural gas price trends and ERCOT costs.
Impact on you: Your winter electric bill may shift depending on how rates are finalized.
AISD Board Meeting Tonight
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees (School Board) meets tonight at 6:00 PM.
Regular Voting Meeting scheduled for September 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Austin ISD+1
The meeting location is the AISD Board Auditorium at 4000 South Interstate-35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX 78704. Austin ISD
AISD’s board meetings are broadcast on AISD.TV, Facebook, and YouTube. Austin ISD+1
The district site also confirms that public testimony is accepted on agenda items scheduled for action or discussion. Austin ISD
📊 By the Numbers
$260,000,000 — Maximum Austin Energy reimbursement authority under consideration by City Council today.
📅 Civic Calendar
Thursday, Sept 25, 2025
10:00 AM — Austin City Council Regular Meeting (City Hall / Virtual)
6:00 PM — AISD Board Regular Voting Meeting
Coming Up:
Sept 30 — Travis County Commissioners Court, 9:00 AM
Oct 6 — Voter registration deadline for Nov 4 election
Oct 8 — Austin Energy public hearing on winter rates, 6:00 PM
Oct 15 — Project Connect Community Advisory Committee applications due
Oct 19 — Sixth Street redesign survey closes
Oct 24 — Light-rail design/build proposals due
