Austin Voters Approve $295 Million in Park and Library Bonds

Austin voters approved both of the city's bond propositions on Tuesday, according to unofficial results. That clears the way for $260 million for parks and $35 million for libraries.

In Travis County, Proposition A, the parks bond, had 211,842 votes for and 132,911 against, or 61.45 percent to 38.55 percent. Proposition B, the library bond, had 207,036 votes for and 136,142 against, or 60.33 percent to 39.67 percent. Those are the unofficial totals on the Travis County election results site, last updated at 3:37 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.

By our math, Proposition A won by 78,931 votes in Travis County, and Proposition B won by 70,894.

The city reaches into Hays and Williamson counties too, so the Travis County totals are not the whole citywide count. The Austin Current reported that final unofficial results showed just over 61 percent in favor of Proposition A and a little more than 60 percent for Proposition B. Results are not official until they are canvassed.

What the money pays for

The city's notice of bond election listed the projects that get priority. For parks, they include buildings at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center, Doris Miller Auditorium and Mayfield Park; trail and park work at places like Williamson Creek Trail, Zilker Metro Park and Mt. Bonnell; upgrades at four city pools; and land for new parks.

The Austin Current broke Proposition A down by amount. It reported $65.5 million for park buildings and facilities, $65 million for parkland improvements, $29.5 million for park infrastructure, $65 million for the four pools and $35 million for infill parks, greenbelts and land, including land for a new southeast recreation center.

Proposition B will pay for a $20 million renovation and expansion of the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill and $15 million for a new library in Colony Park, the outlet reported.

The Hampton Branch at Oak Hill of the Austin Public Library, photographed in September 2026. Proposition B pays for its renovation and expansion. Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

What it costs

Both propositions carried the words "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE." The city estimated the most a $100,000 homestead would pay each year is $8.14 more for Proposition A and $1.10 more for Proposition B, assuming a $20,000 homestead exemption. That is $9.24 a year for both, by our math. The city also estimated about $219 million in interest across the two bonds, by our math from its figures, if the bonds are sold at the rates it assumed. We covered those figures in our Election Day preview.

How the bonds got here

The Austin Current reported that city finance staff had identified more than $4 billion in capital needs but had suggested putting off a bond election until 2028, after learning the city had yet to spend 90 percent of the money from recent bond elections. Some council members asked for a smaller package, and the council voted 8-3 to put the two propositions on the ballot.

Ted Siff, treasurer of Austin Outside, a coalition of nonprofits and businesses backing the parks, told the outlet a loss "would have been dramatic. There are pools that would have been closed because of their need for new equipment."

For another look at local tax questions this fall, read about Garland's tax rate vote.

Our view

Austin voters have spoken, and their choice deserves respect. Parks, pools and libraries serve families, and the margins were not close.

Now the burden shifts to City Hall. Staff themselves warned that the city had not yet spent most of the money voters gave it in recent bond elections. The best way to honor this vote is to build what was promised, on time and on budget, and to report plainly on every dollar. Trust is earned one finished project at a time.