Stories by Tyler Whitson
Black business owners in Austin area outperform state
Despite Austin being the country’s only large, fast-growing city with a waning African-American population, businesses owned by black residents in the greater area appear to be outperforming those in the rest of the state. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 3, 2015
Council talks budget affordability and city services
There are some things that the proposed Fiscal Year 2015-16 city budget does and some things that it does not do. Aside from raising the property tax rate, along with utility rates and fees for many homeowners, one of the…
Budget • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 31, 2015
Proposed city budget includes tax, fee hikes
City management is proposing a budget for fiscal year 2015-16 that includes 85 additional police officers, 12 new paramedics, 19 new 911 call takers and 27 new employees for the beleaguered Development Services Department. Under a proposal presented this morning…
Budget • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 30, 2015
Panelists discuss growth policies at BBB forum
The cranes crowding Austin’s skyline reveal that the city is growing quickly. But is it growing in a sustainable way? And what policies and strategies can city leaders adopt to ensure that it does? These are some of the questions…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 28, 2015
Casar proposes ADU policy revision timeline
Amid a public outcry for more available housing, City Council is reconsidering restrictions on accessory dwelling units such as granny flats and garage apartments. Council Member Greg Casar has proposed an approach to that review that considers related issues, including…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 27, 2015
New ozone standards may be challenge for Austin
The Austin area has a strong track record for meeting federal ground-level ozone standards, but a proposal to tighten regulations means that the region will likely have to work harder to stay in attainment. Failing to do so could make…
Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 24, 2015
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Judges propose rollback in water rate case
A pair of administrative law judges appears to have dealt a major blow to the city of Austin in an ongoing water and wastewater rate case brought by a group of wholesale customers in 2013. The judges, Pratibha Shenoy and…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 23, 2015
Austin Energy projects $1 residential bill increase
According to current forecasts, the average residential Austin Energy customer will see his or her monthly bill increase this fall by 1 percent, or about $1. However, that number may change once the utility figures in cost data for May…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 22, 2015
AE GM responds to AIBA call for demand charge change
Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis responded on Thursday to Austin Independent Business Alliance Executive Director Rebecca Melançon’s request that the city change the utility’s policies on demand charges. “The policy on demand charges is based on Cost of Service…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 22, 2015
Commission postpones South Austin rezoning case
A handful of lots at the corner of I-35 and Chaparral Road may become a set of multifamily developments with retail and office space in the near future. But not just yet. After much deliberation, the Zoning and Platting Commission…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 21, 2015
Affordable housing approved in East Austin
The board of commissioners for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin and its subsidiaries gave final public approval Thursday to a new affordable housing development in East Austin. Called the Reserve at Springdale, the development will be located…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 17, 2015
Local small-business alliance proposes energy policy change
Small-business owners often wrestle with financial uncertainty, and some have complained that Austin Energy policies contribute to that challenge. Rebecca Melançon, executive director of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, wrote a letter to City Council and Austin Energy management Monday…
