In a discussion on state legislative proposals aimed at increasing fairness in property tax appraisals for homeowners, several Travis County commissioners called out City of Austin leaders for not implementing a 20 percent homestead exemption for property taxes. Commissioner Gerald Daugherty said that while the proposed citywide exemption “was an easy deal to run on,” […]
Local Politics
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics
City’s 2013 sustainability goals hit 60 percent
Although sustainability efforts are notoriously difficult to measure, Austin’s Sustainability Office has outlined 10 targets and concluded that the city is making substantial progress within its operations, but has room for improvement. Chief Sustainability Officer Lucia Athens sent a memo to City Council and city staff on Friday concluding that, as of 2013, citywide combined […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council Special Called Meeting 2-5
The Austin City Council will tackle just four items in its Special Called Meeting Thursday. Given the brevity of the agenda, we’ve elected to post (and comment) about all of it below. Links to meeting backup materials can be found here. 1. Council discussion addressing land use issues, the Comprehensive Plan (Imagine Austin) and housing […]
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 […]
Posted inAustin, Budget, City Council, Local Politics
Council tentatively approves salary shift
City Council took the first step toward allowing some Council members to divert all or portions of their own salaries Thursday. Council members voted unanimously to allow the resolution to move forward. However, the issue will have to return to Council for it to become part of the code, and some Council members have reservations […]
Posted inCity Council, Local Politics, Resources
Zimmerman establishes pole position
As one of their first acts as a body, City Council members examined, then approved, a routine contract for up to $10 million of steel poles for Austin Energy. Council Member Don Zimmerman pulled the proposed contract with TransAmerican Power Products, Inc. for extra scrutiny and abstained from an otherwise unanimous vote. Zimmerman lamented the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Local Politics, Travis County
Travis Commissioners hear TCAD, legislative issues
Property tax relief is high on the agenda for the Texas Legislature this session, and Travis County is getting its ducks in a row to follow the issue over the next few months. Along that line, it heard updates from the Travis Central Appraisal District and the county’s legislative liaison staff Tuesday. Travis County Commissioners […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Pct. 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea
Travis County Pct. 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about SH45, property tax appraisals, the potential new Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse and more. This podcast version includes a bonus discussion about water policy. Sponsored by Kerby Lane Cafe. The show is embedded below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/188386980″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions, Elections, Local Politics, Public Safety
Travis County sets bond election for November
On Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners chose November over May to go to the voters with a bond election to fund construction of the planned Civil and Family Courthouse project. Plans for the facility call for a 14-story, 511,000-square-foot building with 28 courtrooms and a 500-space underground parking facility. Commissioners have not yet settled on a […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Council members debate public input plan
The future of public input at City Council meetings remains unclear ahead of possible action Thursday, as Council members continue to discuss whether and how to limit it in favor of moving it to committee meetings. During a Tuesday work session, Council members reacted to the public feedback they received during and after last Thursday’s […]
Posted inAustin, Budget, Local Politics
Price of Council changes still unknown
Though there are no hard numbers yet, Austin’s budget office has begun to review the potential fiscal impacts associated with proposed changes to City Council’s committee and meeting structures. According to a Jan. 23 memo from Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo, the review has included consultation with the Office of the City Clerk, […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 1-27
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in regular session. In the interest of space, we have decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: Consider and take appropriate action on the dedication of a […]