Austin sparks backlash by cutting millions from emergency services to fund homeless programs
AUSTIN, TEXAS: The City of Austin is faced fierce backlash for a new budget proposal that would slash millions from fire and ambulance services to increase funding for its homelessness programs. This decision comes despite voters’ overwhelming rejection of a recent tax increase aimed at similar services.
Public safety advocates argued that the move by City Manager TC Broadnax undermined the will of the voters, particularly after Proposition Q failed to raise property taxes for city services.
Public safety cuts fuel backlash over homeless funding
Following the landslide defeat of Proposition Q, which would have increased property taxes to provide over $100 million in city funding, Austin City Manager TC Broadnax released a new budget proposal in a Friday night update.
The proposal calls for more than $7 million in cuts to public safety, while the Homelessness Strategy Office would receive an almost $3.7 million increase. Local public safety advocate Cleo Petricek criticized the plan, saying, “It’s a slap in the face because they really aren’t listening, and they are steamrolling whatever they want to do, continuously undermining the public will."
The defeat of Prop Q saw 63.48 percent of Austin voters oppose the measure, signaling a clear preference for affordability over increased city funding.
Cuts to firefighters risk delayed emergency response
The budget targets $1 million from the fire department, which Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks said would severely compromise emergency response.
Nicks explained that fire trucks would operate with only three firefighters instead of the four mandated by local law and safety standards. “If you have three people show up to a fire instead of four, we can’t even start attacking the fire until we assemble at least four on the scene. Time is very important. If we don’t have enough people on scene to act quickly, the chance of a good outcome is diminished,” he warned.
The city’s Emergency Medical Services, which handles ambulance and 911 calls, is also preparing for cuts. Austin EMS Association President James Monks said, “I think we’re just at a breaking point. Something needs to change.”
Ignoring voters sparks calls for protest and action
The proposed budget has sparked accusations that city officials are ignoring the voters’ message. Petricek recalled that Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council members issued press statements after Prop Q failed, promising transparency and accountability.
Yet she argued, “They’re still doing what they want and doing it in a sneaky way. It’s infuriating because it’s like they never get the message.” Mayor Watson previously stated, “Voters prioritized affordability. They’re worried about their finances, their grocery and utility bills. We need to give voters reason to trust us to strike the right balance between services and the funding needed to provide them.”
The City Manager will formally present the budget on November 13. The City Council has scheduled a work session for November 18, with a vote expected on November 20. Meanwhile, Petricek anticipates strong citizen turnout in protest, warning, “You continue to disregard the message we’ve sent and the mandate to prioritize public safety. You need to stop shifting money around and eroding public trust.”
