What is Travis County Proposition A? The affordable childcare tax rate proposal

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When Travis County residents head to the polls this November, they'll vote for or against Travis County Proposition A.

The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase will go toward creating new affordable childcare. According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million for the county in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.

If passed by voters in November, the money would go toward the following:

• Create roughly 1,900 child care slots for babies and toddlers of low-income households
• Create nearly 3,900 after school and summer school slots for elementary-age students
• Create incentives for businesses to create or expand childcare options for employees

The background

In August, Travis County Commissioners unanimously voted to send the property tax rate hike to your ballot.

“A year of childcare in Travis County now cost roughly $13,000 which is more than a year of tuition at the University of Texas at Austin,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said in a press conference then.

According to county documents, the services would be rolled out in a phased approach should county residents vote the proposition through.

“The first services may be available as early as fall 2025 and other services could start in 2026. County staff will provide updates upon the creation of a more detailed implementation timeline, county documents said. “The County will require regular evaluation of program performance.”