The average homeowner can expect to see a roughly $200 increase to their property tax bill.
The breakdown
Due to state and federal disaster declarations following the flood, the county is allowed to raise property taxes without needing voter approval. Normally, any increase over 3.5% would require a public vote, per state law.
The approved higher property tax rate for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget year is roughly three cents more per $100 of property value, at $0.375845 per $100 valuation.
For the average homeowner—properties valued around $515,213—this means their county tax bill will go up by about $200, with around $72 of that tied to recovery costs from the July flooding disaster.
This tax increase is only a one-time disaster-related increase and will raise around $42 million set aside in a special reserve, according to county documents. The county plans to lower the tax rate again in FY 2026-27 once the road repairs and recovery costs are covered, county staff said.
“I think it's important for people to understand this is necessary because of the unprecedented amount of damage that has occurred throughout Travis County, including the flooding in the Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek areas,” Commissioner Brigid Shea said. “The county is engaged in significant recovery efforts. ... We are having to, in many cases, provide emergency repairs and draw from an emergency fund that we had set up. It's just important for people to understand the cost of these storms is significant and is growing.”
Put in perspective
The county has already spent $7 million from its emergency reserve due to the recent flooding event, Travis County Budget Director Travis Gatlin said.
Gatlin said county staff are actively working to seek state and federal reimbursements. However, he noted that the fate of FEMA over the coming months and years may leave local entities, like Travis County, left footing the bill.
“We need to be prepared that this is the county's responsibility and there may not be help elsewhere,” Gatlin told commissioners.
He noted that severe weather events are happening more often and emphasized that the county should consider allocating additional money toward emergency reserve funding in future budgets.
“In my 24 years of being here, I've seen multiple wildfires, winter storms, flooding events and even a pandemic. And it seems like these are becoming more and more frequent,” Gatlin said. “We need to prepare for those worst case scenarios. What if two events happen in one year? How do we deal with that?”
Of note
Travis County currently offers a 20% homestead exemption.
A homestead exemption is a legal provision that may lower residents' tax bills. If a resident owns and occupies their home, they may be eligible for the general residential homestead exemption. Exemptions are also available for disabled veterans, seniors over the age of 65, people with qualifying disabilities and some surviving spouses.
Find additional information here.
Get involved
The county’s budgeting office is currently accepting public comment on the proposed budget. Those interested can submit comments here.
The new tax rate will be adopted Sept. 23, and commissioners will vote on the final version of the FY 2025-26 budget Sept. 30.
