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City staff outline $4 billion needs, $700 million likely cap for 2026 bond package
Summary
Capital Delivery Services presented a new pre-election planning approach intended to vet scopes, budgets and schedules before the 2026 bond goes to voters; staff said citywide needs total about $3.9–4.0 billion while finance estimates bond capacity near $700 million to preserve the city's credit rating.
Eric Bailey, deputy director of Capital Delivery Services, presented the Arts Commission with an overview of the city—s 2026 general obligation bond development process and timeline, emphasizing a change in approach: departments will now develop detailed project scopes, schedules and budgets before bond propositions are put before voters.
Bailey said the initial needs assessment the city has compiled totals roughly $3.9 billion to $4.0 billion across library, parks, streets, housing, flood control, city facilities and land purchases. He said the city—s finance office currently estimates available capacity near $700 million if the city wants to avoid downward pressure on its bond rating — roughly 17% of the assessed total need.
"What we're doing is moving project planning down into the how we're doing it now, before the bond election actually takes place," Bailey said. The goal, he added, is to present voters with vetted, realistic scopes and budgets so projects can be delivered more efficiently after a successful election.
Bailey described the interdepartmental convening that produced the needs assessment: more than 40 meetings among directors, program managers and integrated teams since May 2024, plus a Bond Election Advisory Task Force that began meeting in October 2024. Departments have developed scoring matrices tied to the citywide strategic plan and to departmental technical criteria; project charters will be used to refine priorities.
Upcoming milestones Bailey listed include public outreach through 2025 and early 2026, additional board and commission briefings, a staff recommendation and a final report to council in 2026, and a council call for the bond election in summer 2026. He said the Bond Election Task Force will meet twice a month during winter 2026 to refine the needs list down to what can be proposed to voters.
Why it matters: The 2026 planning process frames capital priorities for Austin for many years. The city—s stated need far exceeds its likely borrowing capacity, making prioritization and transparent public engagement central to whether projects considered essential receive voter support.
Ending: Bailey encouraged public input and said the city—s bond development website will list projects and upcoming meetings.
