City Council heard opinions last week about a plan to move its massive boards and commissions network to the new 10-1 Council system next year. As anticipated, there were several complaints. The Boards and Commissions Transition Task Force issued its final report in May on how the nearly 60 boards and commissions should best transition […]
Local Politics
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Statesman endorses plan for homestead exemption; Martinez, Cole react
The American-Statesman in its Wednesday edition came out in favor of a 20 percent homestead exemption as proposed by mayoral candidate Steve Adler. The other major contenders, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Council Member Mike Martinez have criticized Adler’s plan to grant a 20 percent across-the-board tax exemption for homeowners because the wealthy would […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Council meetings to consider utility fund, rail ballot, flood buyouts
The Austin City Council will hold two special called meetings this week, one Thursday following the Council Committee on Austin Energy, and one Friday at 1p.m. Thursday’s meeting includes consideration of whether to allow the utility to transfer $30 million from its operating fund to its strategic reserve fund. Staff has requested the action in […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Uncategorized
Ethics Review Commission dismisses complaint against Neslund
The Ethics Review Commission dismissed a complaint Tuesday night that Melissa Neslund should have registered as a lobbyist, after a hearing that chair Austin Kaplan called perhaps the board’s most contentious. A special called meeting of the commission weighed whether Neslund, a Land Development Code Advisory Group member, is a lobbyist. Austin Neighborhoods Council president […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources, Uncategorized
Pay raise for Travis County employees in limbo
Travis County elected officials will not get a pay raise next year, following a recommendation by the Planning and Budget Office that the Commissioners Court unanimously approved Tuesday. Other county employees, with few exceptions, will have to wait to find out whether they will get a pay increase until budget markup in early September, when the Commissioners […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Property tax relief hot topic at mayoral forum
During the South Austin Democrats‘ mayoral candidate forum Tuesday night, candidate Steve Adler defended his position in support of a citywide 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Fellow mayoral candidates Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole have blasted Adler’s flat 20 percent homestead tax exemption proposal as an ill-advised idea, noting that a city report said it […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Local Politics, Transportation
Leffingwell keeps his seat on BCCP coordinating committee
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will stay on as the City of Austin’s representative to the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan’s coordinating committee. His presence there — as one of only two representatives — had irked some of his colleagues in the wake of recent apparent forward movement for the long-debated State Highway 45 Southwest extension. Travis […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Economic Development Department changing perceptions, funding
Changes are coming to Austin’s Economic Development Department this year, with a new source of revenue and a plan to change the public’s perception of its mission. As the FY2015 budget cycle gets into full swing, the city is in the process of shifting funding for the department away from transfers from Austin Energy and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Transportation
Council OKs $1 billion transportation bond measure
The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $600 million bond proposition Thursday on the Nov. 4 ballot to help fund a rail initiative, while promising to put an additional $400 million into roadway improvements through other means, probably certificates of obligation or similar financial instruments. Through its bond language, the city is also attempting to promise […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety
Council settles officer-involved shooting case for $1.25 million
The Austin City Council opted Thursday to pay $1.25 million to settle a claim related to an officer-involved shooting that took place last summer. Mayor Lee Leffingwell cast the only dissenting vote in the 6-1 decision. The claim alleged that former Austin Police Department Detective Charles Kleinert, using excessive force, shot and killed Larry Jackson Jr. on July […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Austin for All coalition brings organization, candidates together
There is a brand-new coalition in Austin to go with our brand-new city government. The group, Austin for All, is a coalition that has formed in order to show “united support for policies that will improve our city.” Members described their mission: ”We envision a diverse community that is racially, socially and economically inclusive and […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Adler has a good day, but falls short of getting endorsement
Editor Jo Clifton contributed to this report. Although he did not win their endorsement, mayoral candidate Steve Adler had a good day at the Austin Environmental Democrats meeting Wednesday, coming away with 47.5 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Council Member Mike Martinez, garnered 38.8 percent and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole came in […]