CivicIn7 Austin — November 14, 2025
Be the best-informed neighbor in Austin.
TL;DR
Travis County faces a new lawsuit over a 9.12% flood-related tax increase, generating ≈$42.2M in revenue after July storms.
AISD’s updated plan keeps 10 schools recommended for closure; vote is Nov. 20.
Austin City Council continues preparing its revised FY25–26 budget for adoption on Nov. 20.
Austin utility customers began seeing +$9.54/month increases as of Nov. 1.
Texas Energy Fund awarded $22.56M to an LCRA dispatchable power plant serving the ERCOT region.
Multiple closures and holiday events affecting downtown mobility this week.
LEAD STORY
Travis County Faces Lawsuit Over $42M Flood-Related Tax Increase Adopted After July Storms
A lawsuit filed Nov. 5 challenges Travis County’s decision to adopt a 9.12% property-tax increase under disaster authority following the July 2025 flooding. Plaintiffs argue the County used the disaster exemption to bypass the standard 3.5% voter-approval cap, creating ≈$42.2 million in additional revenue. They allege flood-related expenditures were closer to ≈$20 million, claiming the tax rate exceeded what was needed to address the impacts of the storm.
County officials maintain the rate complies with Texas Tax Code provisions for disaster declarations and state that extensive flood damage justified use of emergency authority. The case is now pending in District Court.
Why This Matters
Most Austin residents are subject to the Travis County tax rate.
The case could set precedent for how counties apply disaster-related tax authority in future severe-weather events.
Depending on the ruling, the County may be required to clarify—or revise—how it calculates revenue tied to disaster declarations.
Sources: Travis County (primary) • District Court filings (pending) • Austin Bulldog (secondary) • KVUE (secondary) • Statesman (secondary)
THE RUNDOWN
1) AISD: 10 Schools Face Nov. 20 Closure Vote; Boundary Changes Delayed
AISD has narrowed its consolidation plan from 13 to 10 campuses, removing Palm, Bryker Woods, and Maplewood from the immediate closure list. Affected campuses include Barrington, Becker, Dawson, Oak Springs, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widén, Bedichek, Martin, and Winn Montessori. AISD continues to cite a $19.7M deficit and facility underutilization as primary drivers.
Key Dates:
Nov. 19 — Public comment closes
Nov. 20 — Final Board vote
Impact: Students at closing campuses may be reassigned beginning Fall 2026; specialty programs may relocate. Boundary changes districtwide remain postponed.
Sources: AISD (primary) • KUT (secondary) • Statesman (secondary)
2) Austin Prepares Revised Budget for Nov. 20 Vote After Prop Q Failure
Following the defeat of Proposition Q, City Council continues preparing its revised FY25–26 budget, which must account for approximately $110M less General Fund revenue than originally planned. A scheduled Nov. 13 work session was canceled due to agenda-posting issues under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Updated draft materials are expected at the Nov. 18 work session ahead of a final vote on Nov. 20.
Impact:
The voter-approval rate (~$0.524017) will raise median homeowner taxes by approximately $105/year. Departmental adjustments will determine service levels for EMS, social services, parks, and other programs.
Sources: City of Austin (primary) • KUT (secondary) • Community Impact (secondary) • KXAN (secondary)
3) Austin Utility Bills Increased $9.54/Month Starting Nov. 1
New FY26 utility rates went into effect Nov. 1, raising combined residential bills by $9.54/month. Water, drainage, trash, transportation, and code compliance fees increased; electric costs decreased for many customers due to lower fuel charges.
Breakdown:
Water: +$8.71
Drainage: +$8.04
Trash (large cart): +$2.90
Transportation Fee: +$2.06
Code Compliance: +$0.10
Impact: Typical households will see an annual increase of about $115.
Sources: COA Utilities (primary) • Austin Energy (primary) • FOX 7 (secondary)
4) Texas Energy Fund Awards $22.56M to LCRA Dispatchable Power Plant
The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved the first Texas Energy Fund Completion Bonus Grant, providing up to $22.56M over ten years to LCRA’s ≈188 MW Timmerman Power Plant Unit 1, contingent on ERCOT performance criteria.
Impact:
This plant adds dispatchable capacity to the ERCOT grid, supporting reliability for Austin and the region.
Sources: PUCT (primary) • Texas Energy Fund (primary)
BRIEF MENTIONS
MLK Bridge Closure (Nov. 13)
TxDOT closed the MLK Jr. Blvd bridge over I-35 from 11 p.m.–5 a.m. as part of Capital Express Central construction.
Source: TxDOT (primary)
Regional School Tax Ballot Results
Tax increases failed in Hays CISD, Blanco ISD, and Coupland ISD; Liberty Hill ISD voters approved theirs.
Source: KUT, KVUE (secondary)
HAPPENING NEAR YOU
Trail of Lights (Dec 10–23): Traffic and parking impacts expected around Zilker Park and Barton Springs.
Holiday Performances: Seasonal programming expanding at Paramount, Long Center, ACL Live, and Moody Center.
HOW TO ENGAGE RIGHT NOW
Travis County Lawsuit
Track Commissioners Court updates and court filings as they become available.
City Budget
Review posted agendas for the Nov. 18 Council work session.
Sign up to speak at the Nov. 20 Council meeting.
AISD Closures
Submit comments via Comment Card 2 (closes Nov. 19).
Attend the Nov. 20 Board meeting.
Utilities
Check eligibility for the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for utility bill reductions.
CIVIC CALENDAR
Tue, Nov 18 | 9:00 AM — City Council Work Session (Budget revisions)
Thu, Nov 20 | 10:00 AM — City Council Regular Meeting (Budget adoption expected)
Thu, Nov 20 | 6:00 PM — AISD Board Meeting (Closure vote)
Tue, Nov 25 | 9:00 AM — Travis County Commissioners Court
BY THE NUMBERS
≈$42.2M — Additional revenue from Travis County’s 9.12% flood-related tax increase
10 — AISD campuses still proposed for closure
≈$110M — Austin General Fund shortfall after Prop Q failed
$9.54/month — Increase in typical Austin utility bills
$22.56M — Texas Energy Fund grant awarded to LCRA
