More Services, More Healthcare for Travis County As Central Health Grows with Fiscal 2024 Budget

Upcoming Community Conversations, Public Meetings Provide Opportunities for Input

AUSTIN – Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district, has released its initial proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 (FY 24), a spending plan that includes sizable new investments in patient care, guided by the district’s recently adopted Healthcare Equity Action Plan.

The Central Health Board of Managers got its first look at the FY 24 budget proposal on August 9, the beginning of a transparent 48-day adoption process that includes several opportunities for public input:

• Three Community Conversations (community meetings) later this month;
• Three more public meetings and hearings of the Board of Managers, leading up to its final vote on the budget Sept. 6; and
• Three public meetings and work sessions of the Travis County Commissioners Court, which will consider final approval of the Central Health budget before September 30.

The Healthcare Equity Action Plan will drive increased spending in Central Health’s proposed FY 24 budget, which plans for 189 new positions directly serving and supporting the healthcare needs of Travis County residents with low income. It’s the beginning of a seven-year ramp-up to fully implement the Action Plan, which includes approximately 150 separate projects to develop a high-functioning, comprehensive safety-net healthcare system for Travis County.

Central Health, which is funded by Travis County residents through their property taxes, estimates a $56.27 annual increase for the average taxable homestead in the FY 24 budget. This reflects a tax rate of 10.07 cents per $100 valuation, a 0.2-cent increase from the current rate that is 6.5% over the state-defined “no new revenue” rate. (Hospital districts in Texas are allowed to go to 8%.) This incremental increase in the tax rate, combined with judicious use of funds from Central Health’s reserves, is designed to support Healthcare Equity Action Plan projects that fill gaps in care throughout Travis County’s safety-net system.

Publicly presented FY 2024 budget materials are available to the press and public at centralhealth.net, where you can also find the link to RSVP for the upcoming Community Conversations.

CENTRAL HEALTH FISCAL 2024 BUDGET CALENDAR

(Thursday) August 17, 5:30 –7:30 p.m.
Your Voice, Your Tax Dollars, Your Healthcare:
Northeast Austin Community Conversation
Asian American Resource Center, 6401 Cameron Road.
RSVP via EventBrite at centralhealth.net

(Tuesday) August 22, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Your Voice, Your Tax Dollars, Your Healthcare:
Pflugerville Community Conversation
Pflugerville Community Center, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop
RSVP via EventBrite at centralhealth.net

(Wednesday) August 23, beginning at 4 p.m.
Central Health Board of Managers:
Budget discussion and vote on maximum tax rate
Central Health HQ Board Room, 1111 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Also streamed on Zoom and YouTube; links at centralhealth.net

(Thursday) August 24, time TBD
Travis County Commissioners Court Work Session
Commissioners Courtroom, 700 Lavaca Street
Also broadcast on TCTV Ch 17 and streamed at traviscountytx.gov

(Monday) August 28, 10 a.m. – 12 noon:
Your Voice, Your Tax Dollars, Your Healthcare:
Southeast Austin Community Conversation
Southeast Health and Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Drive
RSVP via EventBrite at centralhealth.net

(Wednesday) August 30, beginning at 4 p.m.
Central Health Board of Managers:
Public Hearing on FY 24 Budget and Tax Rate
Central Health HQ Board Room, 1111 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Also streamed on Zoom and YouTube; links at centralhealth.net

(Wednesday) September 6, beginning at 4 p.m.
Central Health Board of Managers:
Final adoption of FY 24 Budget and Tax Rate
Central Health HQ Board Room, 1111 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Also streamed on Zoom and YouTube; links at centralhealth.net

(Thursday) September 7, time TBD
Travis County Commissioners Court Work Session
Commissioners Courtroom, 700 Lavaca Street
Also broadcast on TCTV Ch 17 and streamed at traviscountytx.gov

(Tuesday) September 26, time TBD
Travis County Commissioners Court:
Final adoption of Central Health budget and tax rate
Commissioners Courtroom, 700 Lavaca Street
Also broadcast on TCTV Ch 17 and streamed at traviscountytx.gov