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Budget
Budget: Staff says higher taxes needed
Even though Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo has already held 13 separate budget sessions and several retreats with City Council as well as numerous other meetings with boards and commissions and interested citizens, budget season begins in earnest…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 2, 2017
Push on to 'normalize' minority chambers' funding
Austin’s four minority group chambers of commerce could see their funding from the city of Austin restructured and made more transparent in the coming budget year, a change that is seen as needed to make the groups more equal. The…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 26, 2017
Texas lawmakers may alter property tax collection. But how does it even work?
During a recent committee hearing on a property tax bill, a state lawmaker made an unusual comment: He praised Travis County. “Travis County has the best record on reducing tax rate,” said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), the author of…
Budget • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jul 26, 2017
AISD board calls for budget to be more voter-friendly
A budget can be financially sound and make economic sense, but if it doesn’t make sense to the public, it’s worthless. That’s the point that some Austin Independent School District board trustees tried to drive home to district administration and…
AISD • By Joseph Caterine • Jun 7, 2017
Mayor suggests changes to public safety pay
Paying for Austin’s public safety needs could add more than $75.9 million to the city’s General Fund budget over the next five years – with more than two-thirds of that funding going to the Austin Police Department, according to the…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2017
Public Safety Commission weighs in on tight city budget
In advance of what promises to be a budget process full of tough choices, the Public Safety Commission received a briefing from the Budget Office on Fiscal Year 2017-18 at its meeting May 1. The presentation included information and findings…
Budget • By Sommer Brugal • May 8, 2017
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City employee pay raises an open question
Studies, both nationwide and in Texas, project a 3 percent increase in salaries this year, including wages for public employees, according to data presented to City Council during Wednesday’s budget work session. Last year, all city employees got a wage…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • May 4, 2017
Homestead exemption unlikely to change
After hours of budget presentations and discussions Wednesday, City Council took up the always controversial issue of homestead exemptions. They have heard for several months that this year’s budget will be tight, leaving no room for additions without corresponding subtractions.…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Apr 28, 2017
Growth slows, making city budget tighter
The days of Austin’s turbo-charged growth are over – at least for now. City Council got that message from the city’s economic adviser, Jon Hockenyos, as well as Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo, at Wednesday’s financial forecast and…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Apr 20, 2017
Central Health critics turn up the heat ahead of decision
Critics of Central Health have renewed their demand for the Travis County Commissioners Court to require an “independent and comprehensive” audit of the hospital district’s spending. A handful of activists gathered outside of Travis County’s downtown headquarters on Monday afternoon…
Budget • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 15, 2016
Visitors bureau budget cut, but still up $1 million
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo won a round Thursday in her battle to use more of Austin’s tourism dollars to promote Austin’s heritage. City Council cut the tourism promotion budget of the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau by approximately $1…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Sep 26, 2016
Capital Metro's budget grows as ridership shrinks
With the beginning of the next fiscal year just around the corner, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority staff are putting the finishing touches on the agency’s proposed $428 million budget. On Monday, the board of directors will likely vote on the…
