On Tuesday, Council went into executive session to hear legal advice related to a suit filed by Sam Kirsch after an APD officer shot him in the head with a beanbag round during a 2020 racial justice protest. Kirsch suffered serious injuries, recently losing an eye as a result, and is seeking compensation for his […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inBudget
Tax rate election seems likely this November
During the City Council Audit & Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, Kerri Lang, director of the city’s budget office, laid out the steps the city would take in deciding whether to submit a request to voters for a property tax increase on the November ballot. At least seven members of Council must vote in favor of […]
Posted inPlanning
Developer appeals denial of right-of-way vacation
The Urban Transportation Commission has rejected a request by the owner of one Old West Austin property to vacate right-of-way after hearing objections from the owners of a neighboring property that would be harmed by the street vacation. Commissioners voted 9-0 with one abstention and one absent to reject the street vacation request. The street […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy’s annual report highlights growing demand, help for ratepayers
Austin Energy set new peak demand records for both summer and winter, according to a new report from the utility’s departing General Manager, Bob Kahn. Kahn released the utility’s FY2024 annual report last week. In addition to setting new records, the utility finalized work on its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035. As […]
Posted inCity Hall
Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn retiring
Bob Kahn, who has served as general manager of Austin Energy for nearly two years, is officially retiring at the end of June, but he will be leaving his post on April 30. City Manager T.C. Broadnax has announced that Stuart Reilly will serve as Interim General Manager beginning on May 1. Reilly, whose current […]
Posted inWhispers
Firefighter pension reform bill heard
Committees of both the Texas House and Senate heard favorable testimony on Wednesday about HB 2802, which would change the way Austin pays retired firefighters and deals with the pension fund’s unfunded liability, which has been estimated at more than $300 million. Bob Nicks, a retired firefighter who serves as president of the Austin Firefighters […]
Posted inWhispers
Water main breaks hit Barton Hills
Tuesday was a particularly busy day for Austin Water crews operating in South Austin. Residents of Barton Hills who were awake at 4 a.m. may have noticed low or no water pressure. Austin Water spokesperson Erik Luna said via email, “Early this morning, Austin Water responded to a 16 (inch) water main break which occurred […]
Posted inFire
Firefighters, city reach agreement on retirement fund
Negotiators for the city and Austin firefighters have finally reached agreement on how to deal with the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund so that it complies with state law and can promise retirement benefits to current and future retirees. This has been a vexing problem for the city and its firefighters for some time. Mayor Kirk […]
Posted inWhispers
Eubanks appointed to Parks and Recreation Board – finally
Although Ted Eubanks’ appointment to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board faced some headwinds, City Council on Thursday did finally appoint a 40-year parks professional who specializes in heritage and nature tourism. That appointment was postponed last month after some Council members had unspecified objections to his service. On Thursday, only Council Member Paige Ellis […]
Posted inWhispers
Casar decries cancellation of federal grant intended to prevent flood risks
Austin U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, who served on the Austin City Council from 2015 to 2022, expressed anger after learning that a grant that he had previously helped to secure has been canceled. The $50 million BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was intended to reduce flooding risks […]
Posted inWhispers
City Clerk Myrna Rios retires with praise from the mayor
Noting that she has worked for the city for 23 years, Mayor Kirk Watson thanked City Clerk Myrna Rios and extended a bouquet to her on Thursday as he announced she would be retiring at the end of the month. Rios was appointed to the position permanently in December 2021. Watson praised Rios for all […]
Posted inWhispers
Council honors philanthropist John Paul DeJoria with key to city
Council rarely gives out a “key to the city” these days, but Austin entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria was honored with a key during a proclamation Thursday honoring his commitment to doing good. Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison noted that DeJoria’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation had given her struggling flower shop a gift several […]