Social Service Contracts

[Jose Velasquez]

Dear Colleagues,

We want to thank the Budget of Organizational Excellence for the opportunity this week to provide feedback on our budget priorities for FY27.

We were asked to provide detailed feedback on the planned reduction of $16.8M to Social Service Contracts. While we are facing a tough budget, it is critical to continue funding those essential services that not only provide life-support for the most vulnerable in our community, but also save money by avoiding more expensive public safety or healthcare costs.

We especially want to highlight a letter we received from One Voice Central Texas requesting us to:

1) Prioritize funding social service contracts

2) Commitment that a $16.8M reduction to social services will be a last resort

3) Continue engagement with nonprofit stakeholders prior to the final budget adoption, as approved by Resolution No. 20260226-056

4) Require staff-proposed reductions be accompanied by a potential impact statement and any plans to mitigate any effects

5) Dedicate one of our already planned work sessions be focused on Social Services Contracts so that we have the time and attention needed to this key budget decision

We are hopeful that our budget staff can take these requests into consideration as they continue working on the budget and invite our colleagues to also share their thoughts on this message board post.

Council Member José Velásquez
Council Member Ryan Alter

[Mike Siegel]

Thank you Council Members Velásquez and Alter for this message.

Austin has social service contracts for many vital programs that our communities rely on, and I fully support the approach you have outlined.

Mike

[Krista Laine]

Thank you Council Members Velásquez and Alter for highlighting the urgency around this important component of our city budget.  I also extend my support of this approach, and I look forward to discussing further during an upcoming Work Session.

Thank you,

Krista

[Sara Barge]

On behalf of CM Qadri:

Thank you Council Members Velásquez and Alter for raising this discussion. I also support the approach outlined and appreciate the proposal to dedicate a Work Session to social service contracts.

Zo