Prop Q Could Raise Your Austin Property Taxes Forever

TL;DR:
Prop Q is on Austin's ballot this November. It raises city property taxes permanently, bringing in $109 million a year. The city says the money goes to housing, parks, public health, and safety, but the ballot language is loose. A lawsuit challenged the wording. The Texas Supreme Court let it through. Homeowners, this one hits your wallet and your values.

They Say It’s About Parks And Housing...But The Fine Print Tells A Different Story

Prop Q is up for a vote in Austin. And if you own property here, this isn't something you can ignore. This ballot item is wrapped in feel-good terms like "housing affordability" and "parks and public health," but under the hood, it’s a permanent change to your city tax bill.

The city wants to raise the property tax rate to 57.4 cents per $100 of assessed value. That’s five cents higher than the voter approval threshold. Which is why this has to go to a public vote. On a $500,000 home, you’re looking at around $300 more per year. Every year. Forever.

No Budget Breakdown. Just Trust Us.

If Prop Q passes, Austin will generate around $109 million more annually. The city says this will fund:

• Housing affordability and homelessness programs
• Parks and recreation
• Public health and public safety
• General operations and "financial stability"

Sounds noble. But the ballot language doesn’t actually guarantee how that money gets used. It’s broad. There’s no budget breakdown, no locked-in allocations. Just... trust us.

And that’s where things get sticky.

Yes, There Was A Lawsuit. No, It Didn’t Stop The Vote.

In August, a former mayoral candidate filed a lawsuit claiming the ballot language was misleading. He said it didn’t clearly explain that the increase was permanent. The case made it to the Texas Supreme Court, which ultimately let the language stand, but not without calling it “a close call.”

So yes, you’re voting. And yes, the ballot language has already been challenged in court. That doesn’t mean it’s clear.

What This Means For Austin Homeowners

If you vote yes on Prop Q, you approve a permanent tax hike. That could mean better city services, or at least protecting what we already have. If you vote no, the city will have to cut back or reallocate existing funds.

This is a values-based decision.

AND it’s also a financial one. Do you believe the city will use those funds wisely? And are you okay with locking in a higher baseline tax rate in the name of long-term investment?

Would You Pay Hundreds More A Year...With No Guarantee Where It Goes?

That's the real question. Are you comfortable giving Austin 109 million extra dollars per year, without a crystal-clear spending plan? Are the goals worth the gamble?

Drop a comment and let me know: Are you voting for Prop Q? And if so, why? If not, what’s your biggest concern?

I’m Jennifer S. Goodman, local Austin Realtor.

Keeping YOU updated on living, loving, working and playing in Austin TX so YOU’RE always one step ahead… AT HOME.