Austin's Proposed $6.3B Budget Includes $166M for Tech Services

The city of Austin is considering a proposed $6.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 that includes $166 million for Austin Technology Services (ATS).

Broken down by funds, $111 million — two-thirds of ATS’ operating budget — would be allocated to its information and technology fund.

The department’s remaining budget would be split between its Combined Transportation, Emergency and Communications Center (CTECC) fund and its wireless communication services fund, which the budget lists as $34.3 million and $21.1 million, respectively.

By program, technology services would make up over half of the department’s expenditure at $92 million. The following make up the remainder:

• $34 million for CTECC and public safety IT support
• $17 million for wireless communication services
• $12 million for information security
• $8 million for transfers, debt service and other requirements
• $4 million for support services

The largest transfer of funds to ATS in the proposed budget, approximately $12 million, comes from the former Information Security Department, which previously operated as a standalone department.

The technology services fund would see a $7 million increase, which includes $3 million for acquiring Microsoft Power Platform licenses; $1.5 million for IT consulting and professional services in pursuit of further digital transformation; $1 million for cloud-based software application services; and $1.1 million for software/hardware maintenance.

Austin’s full proposed budget can be found on the city’s website.