Callout: Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”
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Quote of the Day
“I find myself in a unique role where, in my court, I see some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are there, not by their choice, dealing with substantial issues, with extreme poverty, substance use disorder, mental health needs. I’m able to see them coming in before they’re able to get all the support that our community has brought to invest in them through that journey of recovery, and the amazing transformation when they are there, doing it, when they are their best selves. It is an amazing thing to experience– to see families just transform while in recovery.”
— District Court Judge Aurora Martinez Jones, from Travis County increases investment in harm reduction
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Travis County increases investment in harm reduction
From Lina Fisher:
One of Travis County’s most consistent investments over the last few years has been toward mitigating the opioid overdose crisis, partially funded by a national settlement with the drug companies that helped cause the crisis. In November of last year, the county invested $400,000 of those funds into harm reduction services, and on Tuesday, they upped that to $525,000, which will be split between three community partners: LifeWorks, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and Vivent Health.
Earlier this year, the Travis County Medical Examiner reported that overdose deaths declined in 2024 for the first time since the county declared an overdose crisis in 2022. In order to continue that trend, the county will invest $175,000 each to three organizations doing work in different areas that make up a holistic approach to harm reduction.
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Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”
Join Austin Parks Foundation for the 11th Annual Party for the Parks, featuring Passion Pit! This beloved event is happening under the lights at ACL in Zilker Park on Wednesday, October 8th.
Partygoers will enjoy delicious dining options, libations from Austin’s premiere beverage brands, games, a live auction and an intimate concert—all while helping raise funds for our city’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces. Click here to get your tickets and join the fun!
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Supreme Court says no to ballot language challenge
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition that challenged City Council’s ballot language for the November 4 tax rate election. The person behind the request was Jeffery Bowen, one of several unsuccessful candidates for mayor last year. Under state law, the city is required to seek voter approval for any increase higher than 3.5 percent.
Attorney Bill Aleshire emailed the media on Friday afternoon noting the denial and highlighting comments from Justice Evan Young, who pointed out the catchall provision in the ballot language. That language, Young noted, would allow the city to spend the extra 5 cents voters may approve for “other general fund maintenance and operation expenditures included in the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget as approved or amended by City Council.’ In other words, what the new revenue ultimately does is increase the City’s general budget; it does not, for example, deal with some unforeseen and unbudgeted event, such as a natural disaster or a large monetary judgment against the City. The risk is that a sweeping catchall paired with a loosely defined purpose may obscure what a city’s increased revenue will actually cover.”
Council has said if voters approve the measure, the city expects to collect an additional $110 million to fund homelessness services, parks and public safety needs. In addition, the added money would help close a $33 million shortfall the city faces.
— Jo Clifton
Council OKs Austin Energy contracts with tech firms for staffing
On Thursday, City Council approved four one-year contracts for temporary technology staffing for Austin Energy with Genius Road; Internal Data Resources, Inc. (IDR), Tryfacta Inc and Workquest. In addition, they approved amendments to 25 cooperative contracts for continued temporary technology staffing with a lengthy list of companies. The total amount for all 29 contracts is $83.5 million divided among the contractors. That includes $18 million from Austin Energy’s current operating budget.
When asked why the utility does not hire more employees instead of contracting with the companies, Austin Energy spokesman Matt Mitchell said via email, “Department of Information Resources (DIR) contractors are used in technology sectors to fulfill a variety of needs.
“The ability to use DIR contractors is critical to technology service delivery and support, and it serves several purposes including: staff augmentation; flexibility in staffing for limited duration projects; and enabling the utility to gain niche skillsets often unavailable in the job market for technology implementation, support, and internal staff knowledge-sharing. For any roles that will fulfill ongoing, core work, Austin Energy converts those positions to Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) during the annual budget process. This item covers 111 contractors, down from prior averages.”
In addition to the four listed above, the companies included in the temporary staffing list include: Abacus Technical, LLC.; Allied Consultants, Inc.; Amer Technology Inc.; Apex Inc.; Athomtech, Inc.; Bansar Technology; C&T Information Technology Consulting Inc.; COGENT Infotech Corporation; Conquest Consulting LLC; Dynamic Computing Services Corporation; E-Consulting Inc.; EKHP Consulting; Esolvit, Inc.; GB Tech, Inc.; GTS Government Solutions, Inc. dba GTS Technology Solutions; HT Staffing, LLC; Infojini Inc.; Luna Data Solutions, Inc.; National Human Resources Group, Inc.; Neos Consulting Group LLC; Nipun Systems Inc.; Sistema Technologies, Inc.; Soal Technologies, LLC.; Steck Systems, Inc; and TEXAS GovLink, Inc.
— Jo Clifton
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Elsewhere in the News
City Council votes to expand its Displacement Prevention Navigator Program.
The Statesman has an update on the South Congress redevelopment of the property that is currently home to Ego’s karaoke bar.
KUT explains how new state laws about campus protests will impact UT Austin.
The Texas Tribune reports on “Operation Lone Star 2.0,” which has Texas Department of Public Safety officers help arrest more than 3000 undocumented immigrants this year.
And, apparently, construction is underway for a new Circuit of the Americas theme park, which is expected to open sometime next year.
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