TL;DR
💸 City Taxes (Austin): On the November 4 ballot, Proposition Q will decide the City of Austin’s property tax rate. A "For" vote approves the rate to fund city services; a "No" vote would reject it, likely leading to service cuts or higher fees.
🏛️ County Taxes (Travis): The Travis County Commissioners Court has adopted its new tax rate of $0.375845. While the total budget figure is still pending final publication, the adopted rate will mean a higher county tax bill for many homeowners due to rising property values.
🚧 I-35 Tunneling: TxDOT has begun major excavation for the I-35 expansion's drainage tunnel. Residents near the construction corridor may feel minor vibrations.
⚡️ Winter Grid Prep: Austin Energy released its winter readiness plan, emphasizing power plant weatherization and asking residents to enroll in bill-credit programs to help stabilize the grid.
TODAY’S FOCUS (Lead Story)
Austin Voters to Decide on City Property Tax Rate in November 4 Election
Summary & Impact: On the November 4 ballot, Proposition Q will decide the City of Austin's property tax rate. City Council adopted a rate of $0.574017 per $100 valuation, which requires voter approval under state law. For residents, a "For" vote funds services like EMS, fire, and parks at the cost of a ~$302 annual increase for the median homeowner. A "No" vote rejects the rate, likely forcing service cuts or higher fees to fill a budget gap.
Key Data Points:
Proposed Rate: $0.574017 (City of Austin portion)
Avg. Homeowner Impact: +$302/year
Key Dates: Register by Oct. 6, Early Voting Oct. 20-31, Election Day Nov. 4
Civic Engagement:
Register: The deadline is Oct. 6. Check your status at VoteTravis.gov.
Learn More: Review the sample ballot and official info at AustinTexas.gov/Elections.
Sources & Compliance:
City of Austin Adopted FY2025-26 Budget
Travis County Elections Division Voter Information
THE RUNDOWN
Travis County Adopts New Tax Rate for FY26 Budget
Summary & Impact: The Travis County Commissioners Court adopted its new property tax rate of $0.375845 per $100 valuation. For residents, this sets the county portion of your tax bill, which will likely increase for most homeowners due to rising property values. The final total budget figure (estimated at ~$1.76B) is still pending official publication.
Civic Engagement:
Review the final budget once published at TravisCountyTX.gov/planning-budget to see how funds are allocated.
Sources & Compliance:
Travis County Public Hearing Notice for Proposed Tax Rate
Travis County Commissioners Court Agenda, Sept. 30, 2025
Verification Needed: The final $1.76B budget figure is pending confirmation.
TxDOT Begins I-35 Tunnel Excavation
Summary & Impact: TxDOT has begun excavating the 6.5-mile drainage tunnel for the I-35 expansion. For residents near the corridor (especially E. Cesar Chavez and 11th St), this means you may feel minor construction vibrations. The tunnel is a critical first step for depressing the highway and improving regional flood control.
Civic Engagement:
Sign up for alerts: Get construction updates on the TxDOT CapEx Central website.
Report concerns: Call the project hotline at (512) 832-7000 with any issues.
Sources & Compliance:
TxDOT I-35 Capital Express Central Project Updates
Austin Energy Promotes Winter Readiness Program
Summary & Impact: Austin Energy has finalized its winter readiness plan, confirming all power plants are weatherized. For residents, the key opportunity is to get a $75 bill credit by enrolling in the Power Partner program, which helps stabilize the grid during emergencies.
Civic Engagement:
Enroll for the credit: Sign up at .
Sources & Compliance:
Austin Energy Press Release, Sept. 30, 2025
Electric Utility Commission Meeting Materials, Sept. 30, 2025
🎉 COMMUNITY EVENTS
🧘 Sunset Sweat at Republic Square
📅 Fri, Oct 3 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. | 📍 422 Guadalupe St
Free fitness class in a downtown public park
🎶 Free Music Friday @ Central Machine Works
📅 Fri, Oct 3 | 7:00 p.m. | 📍 4824 E Cesar Chavez St
🌳 ACL Music Festival (Weekend One)
📅 Fri–Sun, Oct 3–5 | 📍 Zilker Park
Major traffic impacts expected in South/Central Austin
BY THE NUMBERS
$302.64 — The average annual increase in the City of Austin’s portion of a homeowner’s property tax bill if Proposition Q passes on November 4. This figure does not include the separate impact of Travis County or AISD taxes.
THE CIVIC CALENDAR
Mon, Oct 6: LAST DAY to register to vote in the November 4 election.
Tue, Oct 7: Travis County Commissioners Court Meeting, 9:00 a.m.
Wed, Oct 8: Austin City Council Meeting, 10:00 a.m.
Oct 20–31: Early Voting period for the November 4 Election.
Nov 4: Election Day. Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
