Stories by Jo Clifton
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson declares his plans to run for reelection
To the surprise of practically no one in Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson announced on Wednesday that he will run for reelection this November. In an email to supporters, he outlined victories so far in his current two-year term. “For example,…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Apr 11, 2024
Democrats vs. Republicans: First election coming for Travis Central Appraisal District board
Even though their party affiliations will not be on the ballot, three Democrats, three Republicans and a Libertarian are running for three seats on the Travis Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. That election on May 4 will be the…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Apr 10, 2024
Council OKs contract for advice on additional water pump station
On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved a $3 million contract with HDR Engineering Inc. for a study to determine where the water utility might locate an additional new pump station and reservoir in Southwest Austin in conjunction with the Davis…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Apr 5, 2024
Austin Water report shows few traces of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
Austin Water on Tuesday released a report showing that the Environmental Protection Agency had found “little to no detectable traces” of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in the city’s drinking water. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS have…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Apr 3, 2024
Ellis pushes resolution to increase safety, prevent bike lane parking
City Council Member Paige Ellis, who chairs Council’s Mobility Committee, is sponsoring a resolution on this Thursday’s agenda intended to make cyclists and pedestrians safer and raise awareness of the risks of parking in bike lanes. Joining Ellis as sponsors…
Bicycles • By Jo Clifton • Apr 2, 2024
Arguments to continue in lawsuit over deed restrictions
Although Travis County District Judge Madeleine Connor ruled in favor of homeowners fighting to keep a developer from building more than two houses per lot in their subdivision last week, that victory may be marred by further decisions in the…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Apr 1, 2024
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Fleet department works to electrify city’s many vehicles
Austin’s Fleet Mobility Services Department wants to lead the way in the use of battery electric vehicles, following the Austin Climate Equity Plan to cut communitywide greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2040. According to a report from the fleet…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 29, 2024
Animal Services working to fix problems revealed by audit
Last September, the city’s Office of the City Auditor released an audit highly critical of the city’s animal shelter operations, saying there was a conflict between its priorities of providing humane care, operating as an open intake shelter and maintaining…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 28, 2024
Some vulnerable residents can’t use Austin Energy’s program
Some Austin Energy customers who are categorized as medically vulnerable and need electricity to operate life-saving equipment have not been able to sign up for the utility’s program to assist them in emergency situations, according to an audit report from…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Mar 27, 2024
Study finds city employees distrustful of city's ethics conduct
City employees who responded to a survey on the city’s behavior with regard to ethics gave the city lower marks for trust and accountability as compared to how city management rated the city. Employees surveyed also showed a greater fear…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 26, 2024
Council calls for more trees and green infrastructure
On Thursday, City Council approved a step forward for increasing the number of trees in the city as well as promoting pedestrian and bicycle access throughout Austin. The vote was unanimous on the resolution sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Leslie…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Mar 22, 2024
Council members seek changes to food truck permitting
City Council Member José Velásquez knows what it’s like to work with food for a living. According to his website, “José went to work at age 11 in a local panaderia to help his mother with bills. That same year…
