Austin says it can't take another year of budget cuts. In fact, the new budget outlined Thursday means more jobs and services: something Austin has gone without for the last four years.
But, it could also mean property owners pay a little bit more in property taxes.
"I don't want to pay any more in property taxes," Austin homeowner Steve Judge said.
Austin is proposing a 43.95-cent tax rate. That's lower than last year's rate, but it will generate more revenue because property values have increased over the past year. It comes out to $33.65 more on your property tax bill, for the average home value of $191,000.
"Well, that's not too bad. It could be a lot worse," Austin homeowner Jeni Hudgeons said.
The extra money would help generate almost $7.8 million, which would help to reestablish jobs and programs.
"If it makes life better here, then it's worth $33," homeowner Pam Matthews said.
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New budget
A tax increase will restore previous budget cuts.
 
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The budget was the discussion topic at Thursday's council meeting.
"Our services are frayed. They are frayed to the point of snapping. I really believe that this is the year, the fifth year is time, to make small balanced reinvestments," Austin City Manager Toby Futrell said.
The proposal includes restoring 160 positions that would help bring back services like daily library hours, park activities, purchase new public safety equipment and complete building projects.
The proposed budget also includes two new programs.
First, funding for improving the quality of life for blacks, which carries out goals set by a study on Austin's need to improve diversity, to retain and attract blacks.
The other would create a neighborhood reinvestment program, which would fund neighborhood police patrol, code enforcement and traffic calming.
"Day-in and day-out, the same kind of complaints. We don't put our public safety resources inside the neighborhood and that's been a problem," Futrell said.
Austin taxpayers have to ask themselves if it's all worth it. But, the city and its leaders still have time to crunch the numbers.
There's six weeks left to figure out what's the right price for city resources.
You can see the proposed budget online at ci.austin.tx.us.
Public hearings are scheduled every Thursday until Sept. 1.
