This page provides information related to the development of the 2026 General Obligation (GO) Bond Program. The process kicked off in December 2024, and the Task Force is anticipated to formally present their recommendation to the City Council on April, 2026.

Bond Election Advisory Task Force

The Austin City Council formed the Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) in July 2024.  It is composed of 20 members appointed by the City Council and the Mayor. The BEATF is tasked with identifying and prioritizing bond funding for projects to be included in a 2026  Bond Referendum.

2026 Bond Program Updates

Since October 2024, City departments, led by Capital Delivery Services, have been preparing a comprehensive set of bond-eligible projects for possible inclusion in the 2026 Bond Program. Departments evaluated and scored projects using a priority matrix aligned with six guiding principles: community consideration, affordability, innovation, sustainability and resilience, proactive prevention, and community trust and relationships.

On July 31, 2025, the Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) was provided the Initial Project Request List. City staff will support the BEATF in the critical task of determining which projects and programs to recommend for voter consideration, further refining the Initial Project Request List through additional scoping, cost estimation, and community input.

Bond Election Advisory Task Force Working Groups

The BEATF created 6 working groups to deliberate on and make recommendations to the full Task Force regarding the 2026 Bond.

Affordable Housing

The Affordable Housing Working Group is tasked with reviewing the 2026 bond requests related to affordable housing infrastructure and making recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Investments in Facilities and Assets

The Facilities and Assets Working Group reviews capital renewal recommendations provided by various departments and makes recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Parkland and Open Space

The Parkland and Open Space Working Group is tasked with reviewing the 2026 bond requests related to parkland acquisition and open space, and making recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Stormwater

The Stormwater Working Group is tasked with reviewing the 2026 bond requests related to drainage infrastructure and making recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Transportation and Electrification

The Transportation and Electrification Infrastructure Working Group is tasked with reviewing the 2026 bond requests related to transportation infrastructure and making recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Community Engagement

The Community Engagement Working Group is tasked with reviewing community engagement and strategic communication efforts associated with the 2026 bond and making recommendations to the Bond Election Advisory Task Force.

Community Listening Sessions

The Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) is hosting three Community Listening Sessions in November 2025 to collect public feedback that will inform their recommendations to City Council and the Mayor for the 2026 bond program. 

Date

Time

Location

Notes
Sat., November 15 6 - 8 p.m. Gus Garcia Recreation Center
1201 E Rundberg Ln
Austin, TX 78753		 Registration
Tues., November 18 6 - 8 p.m. Virtual Meeting Zoom meeting link & details will be
provided after Registration.
Thurs., November 20 6 - 8 p.m. Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center
2407 Canterbury St
Austin, TX 78702		 Registration


These listening sessions are your opportunity to:

  • Learn who they are and their call to action
  • Understand the financial policies and limitations guiding their decisions
  • Help prioritize which projects are selected for their final bond recommendations
  • When you speak up, you help build a bond package that truly reflects community needs.

Each session will provide:

  • A brief overview of the BEATF’s role and process
  • Learn what input they need from you to help make decisions about Bond recommendations to the City Council and the Mayor
  • Share your top community priorities
  • Tell us which projects you’d cut or refine
  • We’ll also outline how your feedback is incorporated into the bond package.