Austin Council Sets 2028, 2034 Bond Elections

Austin City Council approved a resolution Oct. 8 directing staff to plan comprehensive bond elections for fiscal years 2028 and 2034, restoring the six-year cycle last seen in 2006, 2012 and 2018. Packages would cover transportation, parks, affordable housing, libraries, public safety and drainage.

Specific projects, dollar amounts and election dates remain unset, and voters must approve each package. Between elections, the city can still issue certificates of obligation to repair existing facilities.

The resolution requires the city manager to maintain a long-range bond schedule and report annually on unborrowed voter-approved funds. Every $100 million borrowed costs a typical homeowner just over $14 a year. The city carries almost $2.4 billion in outstanding debt; of the $2.45 billion voters approved in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022, $1.72 billion has been spent.

The vote came less than a month before the Nov. 3 ballot, which includes $295 million in parks and library bonds. Staff had recommended pushing that election to 2028, but council called it for November. Sponsors were Council Members Marc Duchen, Ryan Alter, Krista Laine and Mayor Pro Tem José 'Chito' Vela.