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Budget
Environmental Commission recommends Watershed Protection Department budget
Among the coronavirus pandemic’s many consequences is an impact on the Watershed Protection Department’s proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Even with the decision to cut back in areas, the department is still proposing a $107.1 million operating budget…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 19, 2020
Staffers offer a preview of FY 2020 budget
The Austin Health and Human Services Committee heard a budget update Tuesday morning that included news of how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the city. “We were projecting a balanced budget for FY 21,” Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van…
Budget • By Nina Hernandez • May 27, 2020
County regroups, contemplates upcoming budget
Budget season is well underway at Travis County. However, since the Travis County Commissioners Court approved budget guidelines in February, the coronavirus crisis has upended the initial projections from the county’s Planning and Budget Office. Three months ago, the budget…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • May 20, 2020
Committee IDs employment, accessibility among priorities for next budget
The city board overseeing services for the disabled wants funding for better accessibility at City Hall, improved street crossings and more employment opportunities included in the next city budget. Last week the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities moved forward…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • May 11, 2020
Library Commission discusses proposed FY21 budget
In a virtual meeting convened April 27 to discuss its proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget, the Library Commission recommended a 3.2 percent (or $1.7 million) increase over Fiscal Year 2019-20, including an increase to the materials budget by 3.6 percent…
Budget • By Nina Hernandez • May 6, 2020
County freezes hiring for remainder of the fiscal year
In search of steadier financial footing amid the economic turmoil triggered by Covid-19, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pursue an immediate hiring freeze for nonessential personnel. Commissioners will permit county staff to return on…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 15, 2020
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Forecasters size up city's lost tax revenues from sales, hotels, alcohol due to Covid-19
Early analysis shows the city will lose $1 million per month in mixed beverage taxes while the local bar and restaurant industry is shut down, with a forthcoming economic model expected to give a picture of the loss in sales…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 2, 2020
City, county taxes could climb 8 percent under emergency declaration
A provision included in the Texas Legislature’s “property tax transparency” bill could offer jurisdictions across the state, including the city of Austin, the financial flexibility necessary to deal with some of the economic impacts of COVID-19. According to an update…
Budget • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 26, 2020
Public safety departments present preliminary budget requests
Budget season at the city has already begun for the 2021 fiscal year. In preparation for its deep dive into budget requests from the public safety departments, the Public Safety Commission listened to preliminary budget forecasts at its March 2…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 6, 2020
TCAD appraisal decision draws Realtors' ire
On Wednesday, Marya Crigler, chief appraiser for the Travis Central Appraisal District, told representatives of nine local school districts that TCAD would not be reappraising most residential properties this year. That means the school districts, as well as Travis County,…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Feb 14, 2020
Travis County confronts tricky process in reforming pay for law enforcement
Travis County leaders are determined to reform the pay scale for the county’s 1,450 public safety employees, but they’re not quite sure how to do it. The county has long had separate pay scales for civilian employees and law enforcement…
Budget • By Jack Craver • Jan 17, 2020
Report gives Council options for equity in funding for chambers of commerce
An analysis of city funding of four minority-based chambers of commerce has offered recommendations for City Council and staff on how to adjust those annual contributions in the coming years to make them more equitable. A report released last week…
