Austin is one of only 6 percent of Texas home-rule cities with a city attorney who is unilaterally appointed by the city manager, with no input from City Council. As a result, critics contend, there is a lack of accountability for the city’s top legal official. They argue that Austin would be better off following […]
City of Austin City Attorney
The head of the City of Austin’s Legal Department. Reports to the City Manager.
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Austin attorney watching Legislature for city
Cary Grace, an assistant city attorney who is serving as Austin’s deputy intergovernmental relations officer, is counting the days until the end of this Legislative session. On Thursday, she noted that there were 53 days remaining. Those are 53 days that will be primarily devoted to stopping legislation that Austin and other cities perceive as […]
Posted inAustin, Courts, Development, Housing
Source of income rule OK’d, lawsuit threatened
Starting in mid-January, Austin property owners will be barred from discriminating against potential renters based on their source of income. The Austin Apartment Association plans to file a lawsuit to block the new policy. City Council unanimously passed the ordinance Thursday after hearing arguments from public speakers for and against it. Proponents believe it will […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Law Department clashes with Auditor over approval of city contracts
In reviewing the city’s contract development and approval process, the City Auditor’s Office managed to unearth process trouble and engage a defiant Law Department. Both were on hand at Wednesday’s Council Audit and Finance Committee meeting. The Auditor’s Office found that out of the 14 contracts they tested, nine did not follow templates created […]