The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
County staffers update commissioners on the jail plan resolution
Last Tuesday’s Commissioners Court session focused on the future of the women’s jail. The Planning and Budget Office reported on the June 15 resolution, which asked county staff for strategies to reduce the number of incarcerated women and enhance jail…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Oct 25, 2021
City sees details of homelessness strategy, with push to raise $115M
City Council learned in detail Thursday how its $210 million in federal aid, bond funds and other allocations will be used to address and possibly end homelessness over the next three years. The presentation by Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 22, 2021
ZAP votes against rezoning for affordable housing project, the Rhett
The Zoning and Platting Commission Tuesday recommended denying a rezoning for the Rhett, an affordable housing project at 1000 East Yager Lane in North Austin. The commission’s vote comes as the city falls short on its affordable housing production goals.…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 22, 2021
Board of Adjustment fee assistance moves forward
At last Thursday’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved a resolution designed to alleviate economic barriers to participating in the Board of Adjustment process. The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Pro-Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, outlines the development of a BoA applicant assistance program…
City Hall • By Kali Bramble • Oct 22, 2021
Texans will decide on eight constitutional amendments this election. Here's what they mean.
Lee esta historia en español. This Nov. 2 election, Texans have the chance to vote on eight amendments to the state constitution. What would each amendment actually do? Read our voter guide below to find out. Early voting began Monday…
Bonds & Propositions • By KUT News • Oct 22, 2021
County proceeds with vehicle electrification effort
On Tuesday, Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources staff updated the county on the vehicle fleet electrification plan, as directed by a resolution commissioners adopted in June. The resolution notes that as transportation is the primary contributor to carbon emissions…
Transportation • By Seth Smalley • Oct 21, 2021
Subscribe to our newsletter
Panelists look at impacts, opportunities brought by Tesla and others
With Austin an increasingly popular relocation choice for major companies and public institutions, the area’s infrastructure, employment dynamics and education systems are in for significant impacts in the coming years. That was the messages panelists had for local real estate…
Local Government • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 21, 2021
Attorney raises questions about wording of Prop B
No sooner had we explained the ins and outs of Proposition B on the Nov. 2 ballot when attorney Bill Aleshire came along and attempted to show that the ballot language is misleading and may not give the city the…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Oct 21, 2021
Meeting lays out plan for ARPA funds allocated to alleviate homelessness
On Monday, the Homeless Strategy Office hosted a community meeting to discuss the proposed spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds directed toward helping the homeless community in Austin. The city intends to invest $106.7 million from ARPA…
Austin • By Anna Kate Browne • Oct 21, 2021
How Capital Metro is able to offer free rides
Last month, Capital Metro announced that for the month of October, it would waive all bus and train fares as a way to encourage people to use public transit and to ease recent service interruptions. The decision to waive fees…
Transit • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 20, 2021
Council postpones decision on City Marshal Office
Last Thursday, City Council considered the creation of a new municipal court division that would replace its use of sworn Austin Police Department officers. The ordinance would create a City Marshal Office, an agency separate from the Austin Police Department,…
Public Safety • By Kali Bramble • Oct 20, 2021
Mask mandate was the right decision to keep students safe, Austin ISD superintendent says
State leaders made it hard to keep students safe this school year, Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said Tuesday during her state of the district address. Elizalde said she wasn’t expecting Gov. Greg Abbott or Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath…
