City Council kick-started a process Thursday that could lead to the city giving homeowners an increased tax exemption on their property tax bills later this year. Council unanimously adopted a resolution that directs city staff to complete a study on the potential tax incidence and impacts of implementing a 20 percent exemption over the course […]
City Council
Posted inAustin, City Council, City Hall
Council members challenge mayor on privately-funded staff positions
Austin’s new mayor is proposing to hire additional staffers to at no cost to taxpayers. But the idea doesn’t sit well with some council members, who voiced concern over paying for city employees using private funds, as well as the implication that more staffers for the major would shift the balance of power in his […]
Posted inCity Council
Council swiftly adopts new salary rules
A change that will allow City Council members to shift their salaries in order to pay for extra staff passed with little opposition Thursday. The ordinance will allow individual Council members to waive their salaries each year and apply those funds toward other operating costs of their office, including additional staff. Council members voted 10-1 […]
Posted inCity Council
Council considers homestead exemption timeline
Picking up on one of the most hotly debated campaign issues of the past election, City Council is grappling with what could be the first step in enacting a 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Council discussed a resolution at Tuesday’s work session that would direct staff to analyze the impact the exemption would have on […]
Posted inCity Council, Housing
Zimmerman struggles to stop subsidized housing
There are only two subsidized housing developments in City Council Member Don Zimmerman’s District 6, as compared to 47 in Council Member Ora Houston’s District 1 and 46 in Council Member Pio Renteria’s District 3, according to data compiled by the group Housing Works Austin. But Zimmerman would like to make sure there is not […]
Posted inCity Council, City Hall
Council members get their assignments
On Monday, Mayor Steve Adler released a document naming the proposed City Council committee and intergovernmental body appointments, populating the 10 Council committees for the first time. The appointments are on the agenda for the upcoming Council meeting, and they will most likely be made official at that time. According to the document, Adler will […]
Posted inCity Council, Water
Council discusses water scarcity
With the current central Texas drought showing no signs of abating, City Council sat down with staff and water experts on Monday to discuss the severity of the issue. Sharlene Leurig, who chaired the Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force, told Council at the policy workshop that the conversation about water scarcity is coming at […]
Posted inCity Council, City Hall
Mayor’s foundation moves quickly to Council vote
Mayor Steve Adler’s plan to increase staff through a nonprofit foundation will be up for a vote this Thursday. The shift promises to be a radical one that could change how business is done at City Hall. Though the details of the plan will be released today, Adler spoke with the Monitor about the foundation […]
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TipSheet: Austin City Council 2-10 & 2-12
Council is back in voting action this week. The feeling at City Hall is that this meeting may include a return to what might resemble typical business. As always, the Austin City Council meets in a work session Tuesday and for its regular meeting Thursday. Below is a list of items we’re watching for the […]
Posted inCity Council, Fire
Council OKs restart of firefighter negotiations
As its first major action, the Austin City Council on Thursday approved a resolution directing city management to go back to the bargaining table with the Austin Firefighters Association. But it did not, as initially proposed, direct staff to stop the RFP process for finding a vendor to design a procedure for recruiting a racially […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Planning
Council discusses future of Imagine Austin
Since its launch, Imagine Austin has inspired debates about affordability, growth, neighborhood autonomy and more. City Council continued this tradition Thursday in a special meeting with city staff and housing stakeholders about the comprehensive plan. The discussion touched on several major issues, including the relationship between the plan and the city’s many official neighborhood plans, […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, City Hall, Local Politics
Council adopts sweeping procedural changes
After a full week of debate about transparency, efficiency and public input, City Council has adopted a new set of meeting procedures and a committee structure that will overhaul the legislative process. Council members voted unanimously at their first regular meeting Thursday to adopt the ordinance after incorporating several amendments. Council based some of the […]