In a widely anticipated move, Travis County commissioners voted during their August 13 meeting to place a tax increase on the ballot.
The stated purpose of the proposed increase is to expand childcare subsidies. Commissioners assert it will bring in an additional $75 million. The all-Democrat commissioners court approved the measure unanimously.
County officials claim the ballot proposal would increase taxes on the average homeowner by about $11 per month. However, there is a long historical precedent of these estimates falling short of the actual impact.
Furthermore, the fall ballot measure is not the only tax increase commissioners approved. During that meeting, commissioners signed off on the maximum allowable increase under the law to cover general operations.
According to some estimates, the combined tax increases could total almost $300 for the average homeowner. Keep in mind that this is just the county levy.
As the maximum allowable property tax increase was approved, the Austin City Council increased rates for electricity, trash, and water. In addition, Austin ISD is expected to finalize its own tax increase election next week. These combined increases are producing what some have characterized as a tax bloodbath.
Election day is November 5, 2024.
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