The city’s new economic development corporation could issue its first call for development partners next month, with the goal of preserving or creating spaces that can be used by local musicians and arts groups that are increasingly being displaced. At last week’s Music Commission meeting, Emmett Beliveau, a board member for the EDC, said the […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin
Homeless Strategy Office gears up to launch second phase of HEAL initiative
Following the success of its pilot program this past summer, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office is moving forward with its four-part plan to tackle the city’s homelessness crisis. Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey briefed the Public Health Committee last Wednesday on Project HEAL’s latest developments as it prepares to launch its second phase in November. Over […]
Posted inBudget
In one-time move, county restores funding to social service group
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court granted a $200,000 funding request for one year from Asian Family Support Services of Austin. While the resolution was passed unanimously, several commissioners and lamented the lack of procedure of the motion, given that several other groups in need had lost or been denied funding earlier this year […]
Posted inCity Council
How much would more remote participation cost the city?
Since March 2020, when Gov. Greg Abbott suspended certain requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act to allow city officials to hold virtual meetings, the public has been allowed to participate by phone. Austin residents have participated in remote testimony with a good deal of enthusiasm. At one meeting after the governor’s order expired, the […]
Posted inCity Hall
With public comment procedures in flux, two dozen zoning cases postponed
City Council heard many fewer zoning cases than expected last week after city staff decided to postpone the cases because of a surprise reinterpretation of public meeting participation rules. When staffers originally gave public notice for 24 zoning cases scheduled for Council’s Oct. 1 agenda, the notices said people must testify in person; that was […]
Posted inBudget
Park rangers get funding for six additional staff members
For months, the Parks and Recreation Department has been pleading for additional park ranger staffing resources. Finally, the city has answered its prayers with $615,000 in increased funding for the department’s Park Ranger program. In a memo sent to Mayor Steve Adler and City Council last Friday, Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano detailed a number of budget items and […]
Posted inAustin
UT report says Austin could be more welcoming to immigrants
The city’s Equity Office is supporting the findings of a recent report published by University of Texas researchers who found there is work to be done to increase the economic and civic participation of immigrants locally. The report, titled “Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin,” was published by researchers at UT’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of […]
Posted inCity Council
In the face of statewide abortion ban, Council affirms support for reproductive rights
In 2019, the city of Austin made headlines for being one of the first cities in the nation to allocate funds to help women access abortions. Now, with the recent passage of Texas’ Senate Bill 8, the most restrictive abortion ban in the country, City Council has approved a resolution calling for continued support for reproductive […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: City Council, 9.30.21
Today, Austin City Council will make its way through another lengthy agenda. The meeting will be held both remotely and in person, which means that Council will continue its practice of taking public comment in two blocks – at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. The biggest thing happening today, probably, is confirmation that Joseph […]
Posted inBudget
AISD sets lowest tax rate in 20 years, prepares for challenges ahead
Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees ended this week’s voting meeting on a bold note, adopting the lowest property tax rate the district has seen in 20 years. In the 2022 fiscal year, taxpayers will pay $1.0617 per $100 in property value toward AISD’s budget, a reduction from last year’s rate by 4 cents. […]
Posted inCity Council
ICRC continues to request feedback in final month of district mapping
The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission continues to gather public feedback on the preliminary map commissioners helped draw of Austin’s City Council districts. While commissioners approved a preliminary map on Sept. 15, they have until Nov. 1 to consider additional feedback from Austinites and approve a final version. So far, the district map looks relatively similar to the […]
Posted inCity Hall
Tovo eyes historic preservation funds for undisclosed property negotiations
The grant program that uses Hotel Occupancy Tax money to help improve historic sites could be put on hold for a year so the city could use its funding to purchase historic sites. At City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee meeting this week, Council Member Kathie Tovo said her objection earlier this year to approving […]