Civic
Austin has borrowed $566M since 2024 through debt that doesn't go to voters.
Some projects cut from November's parks and library bond came back this way.
October 14, 2026
According to Austin Current, the Council has issued $566M in certificates of obligation since 2024. Certificates of obligation are a kind of city debt that doesn't go to voters. Austin Current says that's more than 60% of the roughly $883M the city has issued that way since 2016. It also reports that projects cut from November's $295M parks and library bond came back as certificates, including $33M for sidewalks, trails and traffic and $3M for Animal Services. Source: Austin Current
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