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Central Health board questions UT contracts in light of DEI firings
Central Health leaders signaled they may seek to curtail or end contracts with the University of Texas’ Dell Medical School over objections to the university’s firing all staff involved in diversity, equity and inclusion programs in April. At last week’s…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 12, 2024
Historic zoning remains in limbo as commission continues to ponder east side building's complicated past
The fate of a century-old storefront at the corner of East 12th and Comal streets remains up in the air, with debate over its merits as preservation-worthy intensifying at the city’s Historic Landmark Commission. 1500 E. 12th St. landed on…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Aug 12, 2024
Travis County wrestles with equity in last phase of its hybrid work pilot
At its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Travis County Commissioners Court heard an update on one of its most successful initiatives of the last few years: the countywide teleworking policy. After the pandemic forced workers home, Travis County won a…
Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Aug 12, 2024
New ruling clears the way for public comment at City Council work sessions
Thursday morning, Mayor Kirk Watson kicked off a planned budget work session in an unusual way. “Late yesterday, we received a copy of a court order related to one of the lawsuits and, as a result of that, we are…
Courts • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 9, 2024
Central Health board gives first OK to new tax rate, considers future revenue options
Central Health’s Board of Managers is preparing to set a higher tax rate. Its new property tax rate will be almost 10.8 cents per $100 of taxable value, which will translate to an increase of $66 per year for owners…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 9, 2024
Council lays out budget priorities for a lean year
In a nearly three-hour session on Thursday, Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council members offered support for a lengthy variety of amendments to the budget they will vote on next Wednesday, and possibly on Thursday and Friday. With a lengthy…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 9, 2024
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Environmental Commission recommends Council’s adoption of food plan
The Austin Environmental Commission on Wednesday approved a recommendation to City Council to adopt the proposed Austin/Travis County Food Plan and ensure its complete funding over the next four years. The recommended resolution, sponsored by Mariana Krueger and approved unanimously,…
Public Health • By Amy Smith • Aug 9, 2024
A health clinic for low-income residents was supposed to open in Del Valle last year. Where is it?
Nearly four years ago, the Del Valle community was promised a health center that would offer dentistry, primary care, mental health services and a pharmacy. This clinic, a collaboration between Central Health and CommUnityCare, would expand access to health care and serve…
Public Health • By Michelle Tamayo, KUT • Aug 8, 2024
Urban Transportation Commission to seek more action, updates to trails plan
The Urban Transportation Commission has signaled it wants the city to take a more ongoing approach to evaluating how and when to add trail segments that had been long planned but were removed from the 2023 Urban Trails Plan. Commissioners…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 8, 2024
Message board shows some of Council’s budget wish list
Although Tuesday’s City Council work session focused almost exclusively on gaps in the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget for services related to homelessness, Council members have highlighted a variety of needs in their message board posts. Today, Council will once…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 8, 2024
Planning Commission calls for reorganization at City Hall
Planning Commission members have unanimously approved a series of budget requests aimed at reforming and streamlining the way their commission is run. Most significantly, the recommendations would establish an Office of the Land Use Commissions that would work with the…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2024
Lisa Davis confirmed as the next head of the Austin Police Department
Lisa Davis is the new head of the Austin Police Department. City Council approved the nomination of the nearly 32-year law enforcement veteran, who comes to Austin from Cincinnati, to take the helm at APD. Davis’ approval comes after a…
