Stories by Tyler Whitson
Service extension may signal city's growth plans
In a move that may signal the city’s future growth plans, City Council has postponed decisions on whether to grant water and wastewater service extension requests for the Stokes Ranch development in the city’s Limited Purpose jurisdiction. Watershed Protection Department…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 8, 2014
Council postpones action on hauler ordinance
Following complaints from stakeholders, City Council voted on Thursday to postpone action on a measure known as the “hauler ordinance,” which would amend city code regarding the private solid waste collection program. It also postponed action on amendments to administrative…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 4, 2014
Few speakers return for delayed budget hearings
Affordability and equity topped the list of concerns that citizens raised Friday during public hearings on the budget, tax rate and utility rates for Fiscal Year 2015. The majority of citizens who had signed up to speak during the hearings…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 2, 2014
County getting funds for Timber Creek
The Travis County Commissioners Court has agreed to enter into a Project Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will provide the county with federal funding for home buyouts in the flood-prone Timber Creek subdivision. The agreement provides…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 28, 2014
County OKs new criminal defense program
The Travis County Commissioners Court has appointed a nonprofit corporation to manage a new program created to provide criminal defense for indigent Travis County residents, starting Jan. 1 of next year. The program will replace the current system of court-appointed…
Public Safety • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 27, 2014
Riley, Tovo resolutions push AE energy agenda
City Council will vote on two energy resolutions this week that would direct the City Manager to task Austin Energy with starting the process for implementing recommendations from the Austin Generation Resource Planning Task Force’s July report, despite the utility’s reservations…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 26, 2014
Subscribe to our newsletter
AE responds to task force recommendations
Austin Energy has responded to the Austin Generation Resource Planning Task Force’s wish list of carbon emission goals, calling it “not workable” if the utility is to meet City Council’s yearly affordability targets. Austin Energy Deputy General Manager Cheryl Mele…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 25, 2014
LCRA delays vote on water management plan
Despite pleas from stakeholders to take swift action to protect lakes Buchanan and Travis from drought conditions, the Lower Colorado River Authority board of directors voted Wednesday to postpone a decision that would have moved the water management process forward.…
Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 21, 2014
Biz alliance wants more help for small firms
The Austin Independent Business Alliance is both optimistic and frustrated about the City of Austin’s current efforts to assist small local businesses. The discussion took place at last week’s Council Audit and Finance Committee meeting, following a progress report on…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 21, 2014
Council debates Pitch and Putt contract
Though City Council members started out Tuesday intending to talk about the entire Parks and Recreation Department budget, most of their discussion Tuesday centered on the possibility that Butler Park Pitch and Putt could change management in the near future. Parks…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 20, 2014
Austin Energy to cut planned 2015 fee increase
Austin City Council members are studying an Austin Energy plan to lower regulatory fees in 2015, which will cut the average monthly residential bill. Utility officials floated the plan Thursday at the Council Committee on Austin Energy. Austin Energy officials…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 18, 2014
Council punts decision on AE reserves
The Austin City Council decided with a 4-3 vote Thursday to postpone a decision to transfer $30 million from Austin Energy’s Operating Fund to its Strategic Reserve Contingency Fund as requested by staff in order to bring the utility closer to complying…
