Follow the Money - ATX

Ask a topic — get what the checkbook shows · snapshot 2026-07-28 · 5,382 payments ≥ $100,000
Type a topic (homelessness, airport, sidewalks, water…) and we compose a neutral briefing from the checkbook: how much was spent, from which funds, to whom, and how recently — with clickable links to verify every figure. It’s directionally accurate, not the whole story: the checkbook only shows payments the city actually cut (≥ $100,000), so payroll and smaller in-house spending aren’t here.

A neutral, plain-English read of what the City checkbook shows on a topic — how much, from which funds, to whom, and how recently. Every figure is computed from the actual checks (no AI guessing); we show which terms we matched so you can judge it yourself.

Last month — a few places to look

The highest closer-look checks the City cut in the last month (Jun 28, 2026 – Jul 28, 2026) — ranked by size and how hard they are to trace. Neutral starting points for a curious citizen, not accusations.

#1Jul 13, 2026
$395,500
Government permits and fees
CapitalLarge & untraceablePublic Works
Why it’s here: A large payment that references no contract or delivery order — we can't tie it back to a competed contract or deliverable.
#2Jul 23, 2026
$300,000
Legal claims/damages
Internal SvcLarge & untraceableLaw
Why it’s here: A large payment that references no contract or delivery order — we can't tie it back to a competed contract or deliverable.
#3Jul 13, 2026
$200,000
Postage
EnterpriseAustin Energy
#4Jul 6, 2026
$196,707
Grants to subrecipients
EnterpriseAustin Energy
#5Jul 22, 2026
$182,818
Services-architectural
CapitalFinancial Services

Want to dig into a specific area instead? Search a topic above, or browse the big checks and funds views.