Council unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday promoting the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read declaration and opposing book banning. According to the resolution, the city supports the Austin Public Library’s materials selection process, recognizing the work of the library and the city’s Library Commission in their work to protect the right to read. “The freedom to […]
City Hall
Posted inCity Council
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 9.1.22
A peek at today’s City Council agenda reveals what promises to be a very long meeting ahead. We’ve done our best to condense things, with a look at the items that are most likely to attract our attention during the day (and night). Those who want the full experience may also tune in online, starting at […]
Posted inAustin
Black Fund organizers unveil plans for grants with first $1M raised
A new fund aimed at helping Black-led organizations in Austin has raised its first $1 million, with plans to begin awarding the first block of grants totaling $350,000 early next year. The Black Fund is an effort organized by leaders of several Black-led groups. The Austin Community Foundation handled much of the administrative and support […]
Posted inCity Council
ANC calls on city to improve public participation, ethics rules
The Austin Neighborhoods Council has issued a call for City Council to reform its rules for public participation, calling the current procedures for taking public input “anti-democratic practices that undermine public participation and trust,” according to ANC President Ana Aguirre. ANC adopted a resolution last week urging Council and Council candidates to support 10 specific […]
Posted inAustin
Austin loses advocate for the environment and people
Jack Goodman, who worked to convince the Texas Legislature to create a conservation district to help protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer and then served on that district’s board for 22 years, died Aug. 24 after a lengthy illness. He was 76. His wife, former Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, told […]
Posted inCity Hall
Council committee catches up before new animal shelter audit
Last week, City Council Audit and Finance Committee members heard an update on a 2015 audit of the Animal Services Department in preparation for a new audit initiated by City Council in July. The 2015 audit, which discovered some issues that have yet to be fixed, found that Animal Services lacked an effective process to […]
Posted inCity Hall
City looks to move away from leased facilities
The city is moving forward on its goal to transition from leased to owned facilities for staff by 2026, according to an update the strategic facilities governance team gave to City Council’s Audit & Finance Committee last Wednesday. Aiming to develop new and improved facilities for city staff at Rutherford Lane and Johnny Morris Road, […]
Posted inCity Council
Mayor celebrates mobility, equity and housing wins in final State of the City
Austin Mayor Steve Adler lauded the 10-1 City Council system and the headway Council has made on mobility, equity and housing issues during his eighth and final State of the City address, delivered to a packed City Hall on Thursday. He also lamented the lack of progress on more intransigent issues, such as zoning reform. […]
Posted inBudget
Record $5B budget includes pay increase for city workers – and for Council members
City Council’s $5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022-’23 includes a pay raise for city workers, including Council members themselves. Council voted to adopt the budget, which includes increasing the minimum wage for city workers to $20 per hour, in a 10-1 vote late Thursday, with only Council Member Mackenzie Kelly voting “no.” Originally, the minimum wage was set […]
Posted inBudget
Council postpones deliberation on parks fees, plate readers
At the urging of Mayor Steve Adler, City Council members put off consideration of two controversial items from this week’s budget agenda. Council will now consider reinstatement of the license plate reader program for the Austin Police Department, as well as an ordinance that would require commercial property developers to pay into the city’s fund […]
Posted inBudget
Austin officials are deciding what property tax bills will look like. Here are some terms to know.
Later this week, the Austin City Council is expected to adopt its budget for the coming fiscal year, which includes how it plans to tax property owners. Some institutions that collect property taxes, like the Austin Independent School District, have already adopted their budgets. If you own property, this will affect how much you owe […]
Posted inAustin
Demand for skilled workers drives District 1 jobs training program
With job growth in Austin stronger than ever, and most analysts naming the region as one of the best job markets in the nation, Workforce Solutions Capital Area is trying to make traditionally underserved communities aware of the job training and employment opportunities available to those looking for a career change. The organization will spread […]