Austin Water discussed efforts to address its staff shortage at Wednesday’s Water and Wastewater Commission meeting. The discussion about recruiting and retaining employees was part of the department’s presentation on its 2022-23 budget, which was unanimously approved by the commission. As interim Director Robert Goode said in his introduction to the presentation, the city manager […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin
Animal shelter workers demand better conditions in wake of vote of no confidence
The Animal Advisory Commission discussed improvements needed at the Austin Animal Center at its July 11 meeting. The discussion came after the commission’s vote of no confidence in AAC Director Don Bland on June 13. The meeting began with comments from AAC staff and volunteers stating that the vote was not enough to fix ongoing […]
Posted inBudget
Proposed $5B city budget leans on fees, less on property taxes, amid a boom in sales tax revenue
Austinites may not see as steep a hike in property taxes next year. Still, they could see an increase of 2.7% under a budget proposal released Friday. City Manager Spencer Cronk’s proposed $5 billion budget for 2023 leans more heavily on city fees for services like electricity and trash pickup – not on property taxes, as it […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: The data
In a poll commissioned by Notley for the Austin Monitor, Change Research surveyed 507 likely voters in Austin, Texas, from June 24-29, 2022. Over the course of the past week, we’ve published a series of stories examining the data. Now it’s anybody’s turn. Read on for the complete results of our survey and more information about the methodology […]
Posted inThe Code
Divided Board of Adjustment rejects site plan appeal
A divided Board of Adjustment on Wednesday rejected a site plan appeal organized by the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association related to the redevelopment of the Windsor Village shopping center at 5900 Westminster Drive. What was once a small shopping center offering neighbors a chance to walk to shops and restaurants will now be transformed into […]
Posted inAustin
City speeds up Live Music Fund for spring 2023 launch
The city has refined its process for rolling out awards for the $3 million Live Music Fund, with city staff preparing to begin dispersing funds to local musicians next spring. That change shaves roughly three months off the timeline for the initial launch of the program that was approved by City Council in 2019, using […]
Posted inPolice
Notley/Monitor Poll: Austinites stand divided on police spending, public safety
More than two years after a series of mass protests triggered budget cuts for the Austin Police Department, and nearly a year after voters rejected a proposition to expand the department’s ranks, Austinites remain split in their perceptions of law enforcement. Seventeen percent believe the city is spending the right amount on policing, compared to […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: Austinites are eager to vote and disenchanted with local government
Most Austinites disapprove of City Council and think local government isn’t responsive to their concerns, according to a June survey of 507 likely voters conducted by Change Research and commissioned by Notley for the Austin Monitor. Fifty-six percent of respondents disapprove of the job Council is doing, and only a quarter (26 percent) approve. Eighteen […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: Lack of affordability tops list of Austin’s most pressing issues
Austinites across demographic groups and the political spectrum find common ground when identifying the city’s most pressing issue. Nearly 60 percent chose lack of affordability, according to a June survey of 507 likely voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by national pollster Change Research for the Austin Monitor. Housing costs are among many factors contributing […]
Posted inAustin
While the heat blazes on, city cooling centers close for the day
City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison warned last month that the city did not seem prepared for a summer heat wave that might leave any number of residents looking for air-conditioned shelter. As it turned out, the Council member herself became one of those residents when the power went out in her East Austin home on […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: Most Austinites think the city is headed in the wrong direction
Earlier this summer, the Austin Monitor set out to poll Austinites’ opinions on the most important issues facing the city and how well local government is addressing them. Over the course of this week, we’ll highlight what residents have told us about the city’s growth, challenges, governance and public safety. The survey, commissioned by Notley and […]
Posted inBudget
Budget recommendation seeks staffer to address long-awaited veterans affairs needs
City staff members are pushing for City Council to fund a new position in the Office of Civil Rights that would allow the office to handle many needs and responsibilities outlined in years of idled plans for a resource center for veterans and military affairs within city government. A memo released last week from leaders […]