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Rising property taxes are a growing concern. There are a number of people who believe taxes are high because the city provides not only essential city services (police, fire, etc.) but non-essential services (social service contracts, education funding, etc.) If elected, how would you prioritize what is or is not an essential city service?

Natasha Harper-Madison

City Council, District 1

This issue is full of nuance, but I think it is important to weigh tax increases against the value added by city programs. The City of Austin’s tax rate is not the largest portion of tax bills, however. The county and school districts take a larger portion. I think every taxing entity has the responsibility to think critically about its tax increases and whether the services they fund are worth the higher tax burden.