Signatures collected on behalf of One Voice Central Texas 

Dear Mayor Watson and Council: 

As community leaders who serve on the boards of Austin’s nonprofit organizations, we are writing to express our concern about proposed reductions to social services in the FY27 City Budget. Our experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors has taught us that fiscal responsibility and strategic investment go hand in hand. We support responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and believe every public investment should be evaluated based on measurable outcomes, accountability, and return on investment. 

We recognize the difficult budget decisions facing the City.  Like any successful operation, government should make those difficult financial decisions using data and performance metrics. Across-the-board reductions before evaluating effectiveness risk weakening programs that deliver measurable community benefits while preserving those that do not. We urge the Council to first identify operational efficiencies, eliminate duplication where appropriate, and redirect funding from programs that are not meeting established performance expectations before reducing investments in services that demonstrably work. 

Austin’s nonprofit organizations are essential partners in building a strong economy and healthy community. As board members, we volunteer our time, contribute our professional expertise, and donate our own financial resources because we believe that Austin works because Austin nonprofits work. We see firsthand how the organizations we serve help stabilize families, strengthen the workforce, address behavioral health needs, prevent homelessness, support children and older adults, and reduce reliance on more costly emergency systems. These services improve workforce participation, reduce long-term public expenditures, and make Austin a more competitive and attractive place to live, work, and do business.  

We respectfully ask the Council to: 

• Prioritize internal operational efficiencies and administrative cost savings before reducing social service investments that prevent violent crime, homelessness, food insecurity and downstream costs to the system. 

• Conduct a transparent, data-driven review of the city’s social service contracts and preserve funding for high-performing nonprofit partners that demonstrate desired outcomes and sound stewardship of public resources. 

Austin’s long-term prosperity depends on a resilient workforce, healthy families, safe neighborhoods, and effective partnerships among government, business, and the nonprofit sector. We believe the City’s budget should reflect these priorities by strengthening accountability while protecting investments that produce the greatest value for our community. Thank you for your service and thoughtful consideration. 

Respectfully, 

Austin Community Leaders Serving on the Boards of Austin Nonprofit Organizations