Should Austin voters approve the $295 million parks and libraries bond?
Austin's November 2026 ballot carries a $295 million parks and libraries bond. Weigh aging pools and branch libraries against debt timing concerns.
Local government directory
Austin, TX: council, meetings and contacts
Austin is the 12th largest city in the United States with about 1,002,632 residents, in Travis. Here is who governs it, when they meet in public, and where the agendas are posted.
City government at a glance
- Form of government
- Council-manager
- Governing body
- Austin City Council — 11 members
- Regular meetings
- Regular meetings roughly twice a month on Thursdays, Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 W. Second St.
- City Hall
- 301 W. Second St., Austin, TX 78701
- Main information line
- 311 or (512) 974-2000
- Population (2025 est.)
- 1,002,632 (2020 census: 961,855)
- County
- Travis
- Planning body
- Austin Planning Commission
Ten geographic districts under the '10-1' system plus an at-large mayor.
Official links
- Austin official website
- Austin City Council
- Agendas, minutes and meeting video
- Travis County Commissioners Court
- Austin Independent School District
The bodies that decide things in Austin
| Body | What it decides | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Austin City Council | Ordinances, the city budget, zoning changes, contracts, police and fire funding | Official page |
| Travis County Commissioners Court | County budget, sheriff and jail, public health, elections administration, county roads | County website |
| Austin Independent School District board | School budget, boundaries, calendar, curriculum adoption, superintendent | District website |
| Austin Planning Commission | Rezonings, site plans, variances and long-range land use recommendations | City website |
Questions people ask about Austin government
When does the Austin City Council meet?
Regular meetings roughly twice a month on Thursdays, Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 W. Second St. Always confirm the date and location on the official agenda before you attend, because meetings can be cancelled, moved or continued.
How do I contact Austin city government?
The main information line is 311 or (512) 974-2000. City Hall is at 301 W. Second St., Austin, TX 78701, and the official website is https://www.austintexas.gov.
How do I speak at a Austin public meeting?
Find the agenda for the meeting, check the sign-up deadline (many cities close the list before the meeting starts), prepare remarks for the posted time limit — usually two or three minutes — and state your name, your district and your specific ask.
Open debates in Austin
Start here if you are new to this
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