The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees met for a work session and its regular meeting on Monday, May 4. Trustees heard reports on the College’s Free Tuition Pilot Program, an economic impact study, and next year’s budget.
Below are highlights from the meetings.
Free Tuition Pilot Update
Following the successful second year of our Free Tuition Pilot Program, College administration shared a comprehensive review of the program’s impact during the work session. ACC’s enrollment numbers have reached a historic high, student persistence is up, and ACC is setting a national standard for program design.
ACC Economic Impact Study
Trustees welcomed a representative from Trellis Strategies, who shared highlights from the 2026 economic impact report it conducted. According to the report, ACC serves as a major economic driver of the local economy, adding $2.6 billion in annual economic impact.
2026 Budget Update
Administration reviewed the fiscal year 2027 budget to prepare Trustees for a budget adoption vote in July. Two hypothetical situations were shared to help the Board understand possible budget impacts.
The first assumes higher-than-normal enrollment growth, which has little impact on the budget bottom line in the short term. The second assumes two more years of flat property taxes, which has a noticeable impact on the bottom line since many of the things the College has done over the last couple of years have been funded by property tax increases.
They also briefly reviewed the College’s technology plan to replace existing hardware and the facilities budget, which includes furniture replacements, parking lot maintenance, major HVAC projects, and more.
At the Board’s June meeting, administration will share its official recommendation for compensation and bring a balanced budget for Trustees to consider and vote on.
Contract Approvals
The Board approved three contracts on the consent agenda:
- Toolkit Technologies Inc. for office and school supplies, products, and services
- GT Distributors Inc. for uniforms and accessories, and public safety and firehouse supplies and equipment
- Clean Earth Environmental Solutions Inc. for districtwide hazardous and regulated waste management services
View all agendas and recordings from the meeting here. Recordings are usually available by the first Thursday following the meeting.