General Fund — adopted budget by department
Solid = spent through Q2 · Dim = remaining budget · Hover for details
Public Safety
Parks & Community
Health & Wellbeing
Housing & Social Services
Courts & Justice
Admin & Other
How Austin's Budget Works
Three separate money pools fund city services — understanding which is which explains why the city can't simply "move money around."
General Fund
Property tax & sales tax
- Police (APD)
- Fire & EMS
- Parks maintenance
- Libraries
- Code enforcement
Where policy happens. Council allocates this fund — it reflects actual priorities. Operational gaps (staffing, response times) can only be fixed here.
Enterprise Funds
User fees & utility bills
- Austin Energy
- Austin Water
- Airport (AUS)
- Resource Recovery
Legally ring-fenced. Your electric and water bills fund these departments only — they cannot be redirected to police, parks, or anything else.
Bonds
Voter-authorized debt
- Roads & sidewalks
- Parks infrastructure
- Libraries & buildings
- Trails & bike lanes
Capital only. Bonds build and repair physical things — they cannot hire staff, improve response times, or fund any ongoing service.
Data: City of Austin Operating Budget (g5k8-8sud) · FY2026 · updated annually