Austin Energy staff walked through their proposed plan to build a high-priced East Austin headquarters Monday morning. The proposed plan has come under criticism by City Council members and commercial real estate brokers, who are worried about the added burden to the taxpayers and the high cost of construction. The plan, budgeted at $58.9 […]
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Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Austin City Council spending for June 12, 2014
Here is a detailed look at expenditures Austin City Council authorized on June 12, 2014: · $477,592 of rebates were authorized for energy efficiency improvements; $131,100 to CWS Allandale-McKinney, LP (Austin Midtown Apartments); $123,680 to CWS Brushy Creek, LP (The Marquis at Brushy Creek Apartments); $136,712 to Gables Residential (Central Park Apartments); and $86,100 […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Resources
Travis County Commissioners Court spending for June 17, 2014
Here is a detailed look at how much money Travis County Commissioners spent this week: · Approved $36,000.00 for a proposed interlocal agreement with Pflugerville Independent School District to pay for half the cost of a traffic signal at the intersection of Gattis School Road and Priem Lane. · Approved $1,107,685.00 for a 25 […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
LCRA Board raises rates for water customers through 2015
Water along the Colorado River Basin will get pricier, at least for customers who can still turn on the tap. The Lower Colorado River Authority’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to raise rates for water customers. The rate increase does not affect the City of Austin, which prepaid $100 million in 1999 as […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Resources
Travis County Commissioners Court spending for June 10, 2014
Here is a detailed look at how much money Travis County Commissioners spent last week: · Approved $4,938.54 for three different cash security agreements with Gehan Homes, Ltd. for sidewalk repair in Pct. 1. · Approved $720.00 for a cash security agreement with Highland Homes, Ltd. for sidewalk repair in Pct 3. · Approved […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Resources
City Council orders restaurants to compost organic waste by 2018
Austin City Council members Thursday approved changes to city ordinances that will require food service permit holders to begin composting organic waste by 2018. Under the measure, full enforcement of the new rules will not come until a year later. Council members’ actions came over the objections of Skeeter Miller, representing the Greater Austin […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council votes to cut Seton’s fee waiver request by more than half
Those opposed to offering the future Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas a bundle of fee and requirement waivers can take heart after the Austin City Council cut the total value of the waivers from over $2.4 million to $902,000. The Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance waiving some fees […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council OKs measure to have Austin Energy collect all line fees
The Austin City Council unanimously Thursday approved an item that directs Austin Energy officials to collect full reimbursement for the cost of line extensions. The measure, long supported by veteran Electric Utility Commissioner Shudde Fath, would allow the utility to recoup millions. Just before Council members approved the item, consumer advocate and utility watchdog […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Resources
Council members grill Austin Energy over plans for new building
City Council members expressed concern at Tuesday’s work session over the transparency of the route taken by Austin Energy officials in search of roughly $9 million to design a new headquarters building in East Austin and an additional $5.2 million for what was described as upgrades to a system that may, when it’s all done, […]
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Committee: AWU should cut contributions to general fund during drought
Austin Water Utility should cut back on its contributions to the city’s general fund during drought conditions, according to recommendations by a committee formed to find ways to keep the utility financially healthy. The Joint Committee on Austin Water Utility’s Financial Plan met Wednesday to finalize recommendations it will send to City Council on […]
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Climate change report prepared for Austin predicts weather extremes
The first indications of how climate change likely will affect Austin in the coming decades are beginning to emerge. A just-completed report by City of Austin staff sets out some sobering scenarios of potential future conditions. Extremes of heat, drought and floods that have occurred in the region in recent years are likely to become […]
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Austin Water Utility proposes ‘meaty’ cuts to balance FY2015 budget
A struggling Austin Water Utility moved forward with tough cuts at the latest meeting of the Joint Committee on AWU’s Financial Plan. Right now, AWU has several options on the table for next year’s budget. The utility’s latest proposal has $33 million in budget cuts, with $4.5 million of that already proposed. On Wednesday […]