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The numbers are based on growth rates from 2010-2020, assuming increases of more than 20 percent each decade. The numbers speak to what some call the “Texas Miracle,” a continued economic expansion alongside population growth.
Texas’ four largest cities are among the most populous in the U.S.: Houston at No. 4, San Antonio at seven, Dallas at nine and Austin at 11, according to U.S. Census data.
Speculation aside, these are the cities with the largest overall and IT budgets in the state. All have large IT enterprise catalogs, support dozens of departments and partner with multiple groups to provide public safety services, broadband planning and grant making, to name a few items.
Three are in the budget planning process, while Houston’s new fiscal year began July 1.
Houston passed a $6.2 billion budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year with large investments in public safety and personnel. Some late amendments to the budget included $500,000 to deal with a DNA backlog at the city forensics center and funding for city and county libraries to explore shared digital services. Houston will “also invest in technology to support the city’s strategic priorities, such as public safety, economic development and environmental sustainability.” The CIO is Lisa Kent, and last year’s estimated IT budget was $110 million, according to Industry Navigator.*
San Antonio will decide its budget by September with a fiscal start Oct. 1. Its budget for FY2023 was $3.41 million. Over the past year, the city had planned to replace in-car video cameras and expand online emergency response capabilities. This year, the city published a Five Year Financial Forecast and Trial Budget that builds on assumptions from city revenue and income. The city plans to add staffing and continue a focus on public safety. Its CIO is Craig Hopkins, and last year’s estimated IT budget was $68 million.
Dallas had an initial estimated budget of $4.35 billion in March, but a final figure is due next month for an Oct. 1 fiscal start. The city’s 2022-23 IT budget was about $140 million. The city has been working on its data strategy as well. This according to CIO Bill Zielinski, whose May interview with Industry Insider — Texas can be found here.
Austin also has a fiscal year starting Oct. 1 and adopts its budget in August. Its FY2023 budget was $5 billion and focused largely on staffing. Upcoming potential projects include a $500,000 IT master plan refresh and a $650,000 airport telephone equipment upgrade with replacement starting in 2024. Austin’s interim CIO is Kerrica Laake, and last year’s estimated IT budget was $995,484.
*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, Industry Insider — Texas’ parent company.
