Austin’s Proposed Budget Totals Nearly $6B

Austin released its proposed $5.9 billion budget Friday, with an emphasis on “community-focused investments,” including technical initiatives throughout the city for more transparent and citizen-friendly services.

Austin’s Communications and Technology Management (CTM) is looking at a $146.5 million operating budget with $44.9 million for capital improvements.

CTM, led by CIO Kerrica Laake, provides IT to city departments and some entities in Travis County. Responsibilities include:

• Communications and technology management 
• Wireless communication services 
• The Combined Transportation, Emergency and Communications Center (CTECC) 
• The Greater Austin/Travis County Regional Radio System (GATRRS) 

The budget reflects higher spending in some areas due to increased services and support costs.

Funding for CTM’s operating budget includes five project areas:

• $84 million for CTM, including increased funding for contracts, existing agreements and Microsoft 365 Government G5 conversion 
• $30.6 million for the CTECC and public safety IT support, including increased funding for master agreements, staff augmentation and one-time hardware purchases 
• $16.8 million for wireless communication services, including funding for augmented staff and six added positions 
• $4.6 million for support services, including managerial and administrative
• $11 million for transfers, debt service and other requirements 

Its capital budget includes $44.9 million for buildings, building improvements, IT, vehicles and equipment.

The Information Security Office, headed up by CISO Shirley Erp, would receive $11.8 million with fund increases for network detection and response, enhanced network security, software-as-a-service (SaaS) security and third-party risk management.

Citywide spending of note includes:

• $6 million for financial systems IT, including budget, finance, accounting, procurement, payroll and transparency. Financial Services also expects $3.5 million in capital funds for IT investments. 
• $3 million toward replacing the public-facing Austin Build and Connect (AMANDA) Portal, which provides online permitting services and fee payment. The total cost is projected to be $24.5 million.
• $1.5 million for Austin Public Health’s ongoing maintenance of an automated reporting system for communicable disease, which was developed using American Rescue Plan Act funds. 
• $659,000 for the library system’s strategic planning software, Wi-Fi access point replacement, centralized computer backup, audio-visual and digital upgrades. 
• $192,000 for the Communications and Public Information Office to implement a new website tool for “accurate, culturally competent translation in many languages on the city of Austin website” (city residents speak more than 82 languages). That budget includes $1.8 million for video production and $1.4 million for web services and graphic design. 

The fiscal year is Oct. 1 to Sept. 30; the city will take community input in late July and early August. Austin has about 1 million residents and a 1.2 million daytime population, according to its demographic data hub.