Austin's 2026 parks and library bonds: Propositions A and B
Last checked: October 13, 2026. This page collects what has been reported about the two City of Austin bond measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. It explains what is proposed, not how to vote. The Austin Bulletin does not endorse.
The eight City Charter amendments on the same ballot, Propositions C through J, are explained on their own page.
What is on the ballot?
- Proposition A: $260 million for parks. More than two dozen named projects to build or improve trails, recreation centers, pools, playgrounds and other facilities, plus citywide money to buy green space, build electrical infrastructure and improve community gardens.
- Proposition B: $35 million for libraries. $20 million to improve and expand the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill in Southwest Austin, and $15 million for a future branch in Colony Park in East Austin.
As of October 13, the City had not said how much each named park project would get or what improvements each site would receive, Community Impact reports. Community Impact, October 13
What would it cost a homeowner?
- The City estimates a $40 yearly increase in property taxes for an average-valued home of $495,000. KUT, October 13
- If both pass, the City expects to issue about $49 million in debt a year from 2027 to 2032. Repaying the $295 million would add nearly $220 million in projected interest. Community Impact, October 13
- Debt service taxes for the typical homeowner passed $500 this year, just over 23% of the city property tax bill, and are expected to keep rising into the 2030s whatever the outcome. The City has nearly $2.4 billion in outstanding debt, and more than $760 million from 2016–22 bonds is unspent. Community Impact, October 13
The bonds would come on top of the City budget adopted in August, which raised the City property tax rate the most allowed without an election. See Austin's 2026-27 city budget.
How did the Council vote?
- August 4: The Council voted 8-3 to direct the City Manager to prepare a bond election ordinance. Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Members Marc Duchen and José Velásquez voted no. An amendment adding the Colony Park branch library passed, with Duchen voting no. Y'all, City Hall: August 4, item 2
- August 6: The Council ordered the November 3 election, with parks and recreation as item A and library improvements as item B, without objection. Y'all, City Hall: August 6, item 2
City finance staff had recommended a 2028 bond election instead, and the decision to call one this year did not follow the Council's own bond-planning "decision tree," Community Impact reports. On October 8, the Council directed staff to plan the next comprehensive bond elections for fiscal years 2028 and 2034. Community Impact, October 13 · Community Impact, October 8
What do supporters and opponents say?
In their own words, as reported by Community Impact:
- Council Member Paige Ellis (supports): the dollars should be "reinvested in the parts of town that don't always get that level of investment." She called the Hampton Branch "hugely important" as Southwest Austin's only public-facing city building.
- Council Member Mike Siegel (supports): "What's the value of having access to a pool all summer long? One day, a family of four going to the pool for free, that's worth far more than $7."
- Mayor Kirk Watson (opposes): "I don't believe it is the time to negatively impact affordability, or that we should abandon a process created to increase trust."
A political action committee supporting the bonds, Parks, Pools, Trails & Books, formed this summer; no formal opposition had organized as of Community Impact's report. Community Impact, October 13
Dates to watch
- October 19–30: Early voting in Travis County. Sites and hours are on our Vote 2026 page.
- October 23: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail.
- November 3: Election Day.
Bulletin coverage
Editions that covered the 2026 bond election, newest first: