City Council Passes 2011-12 Budget

The city council stuck with most of the proposed budget for 2011-12, but did make some adjustments in their vote yesterday. The extra money in city coffers (mostly gained from high energy use through Austin Energy this summer) meant that the city council could keep some things in the budget that had been suggested for cuts.

The Dottie Jordan and Austin Recreation Centers will remain open (the Parks department had proposed closing them or letting a private entity take them over), and, after some debate among councilmembers, 49 more police officers will be hired.

The additional funds available will go towards a couple more security guards for the library system, as well as more library materials. However, as the proposed budget recommended, the hours for the Faulk Central Library will be cut back.

More money will go towards the Center for Child Protection, a substance abuse treatment program, and a few more items.

This new budget also means that residents will have a higher energy bill come 2012, an increased property tax rate, and higher water bills. The city council has requested that the water utility come up with a graduated scale that would charge a higher fee to those with higher water usage.