What Proposition Q Actually Does

The measure authorizes the City of Austin to levy an ad valorem rate of $0.574017 per $100 of taxable value—that’s $57.40 for every $100,000 of appraised value. City documents state the rate is $0.05 per $100 above the voter-approval tax rate and include the required warning, “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.” The ballot language also allows proceeds to be used for housing affordability and homelessness programs, parks, public health and safety, and other general fund maintenance and operations—a breadth that has drawn criticism for being too open-ended.

How Austin’s City Rate Compares

Supporters argue that Austin’s costs are rising with growth. Critics counter that, even before counting the county and school portions, Prop Q would push the city rate above Houston and San Antonio and close to Fort Worth—while still far below tax-heavy Dallas. Judge for yourself:

Add Travis County and the Picture Gets Heavier

While Proposition Q is a City of Austin question, it lands on top of recent county increases. In 2024 Travis County adopted a $0.344445 rate (above the voter-approval rate of $0.319445), with county materials estimating a roughly $126 impact on the “average taxable homestead.” When you add city + county—and then layer in school district rates—the compounding effect is what long-time homeowners feel most acutely.

“Why Raise $100M for a $33M Gap?”—The Trust Issue

Opponents of Prop Q argue City Hall is using a small deficit to justify a much larger, permanent tax hike. As one local campaign put it: “If the City Budget Deficit is $33M, why is City Hall raising property taxes to produce $100M?”

How to Evaluate Proposition Q for Your Household

1. Run your math. Multiply your taxable value by 0.00574017 for the city portion under Prop Q. Compare with the voter-approval rate (≈ 0.00524017); the difference is your likely increase before exemptions.
2. Check exemptions. Homestead and senior/disabled exemptions can materially reduce the hit.
3. Ask about permanence. The ballot allows funds for “other general fund maintenance and operations.” Broad language matters.
4. Weigh tradeoffs. If you believe new funds for parks, homelessness, and public health are urgent and well-managed, a “Yes” may feel justified. If affordability and oversight top your list, a “No” keeps Austin at the cap and forces reprioritization.

Bottom Line

Proposition Q would move Austin’s city tax rate above Houston and San Antonio and closer to Fort Worth, while the combined city–county–school burden remains among the region’s highest. For residents already strained by appraisals and overlapping local rates, skepticism is warranted.

Sources & Further Reading

• City of Austin – Special Tax Rate Election Ballot Language / Ordinance Backup. URL: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=459065
• Ballotpedia – Austin, Texas, Proposition Q, Property Tax Measure (Nov 2025). URL: https://ballotpedia.org/Austin,_Texas,_Proposition_Q,_Property_Tax_Measure_(November_2025)
• The Daily Texan – “City of Austin to vote on tax rate election in November.”
• Austin Chronicle – “Higher Taxes Are on the Ballot.”
• Austin Monitor – “Former candidate sues City Council over tax election ballot language.”
• Travis County – 2024 Tax Rate Election Fact Sheet.