We’re thunderstruck… Into the apparent state Democratic vacuum for next year’s governor’s race steps Austin musician – and owner of an absolutely superb and bitchin’ beard – Thor Harris. The news came last week via Twitter when Harris, holding a rainbow flag, made a flat and deadpan announcement he’s going to run for the state’s […]
city budget
The city’s plan for expenditures based on income.
Posted inBudget
Council moves toward tax swap with AISD
In an effort to help the Austin Independent School District lower its tax rate and send fewer dollars to the state under the so-called Robin Hood plan, City Council voted 6-4 Wednesday to begin consideration of raising the city’s property tax rate to 46.51 cents per $100. That’s two cents higher than the current rollback […]
Posted inBudget
Adler bashes Texas over ‘state property tax’
During Wednesday’s budget presentation to City Council, Mayor Steve Adler spoke passionately about the state’s system for funding public schools, calling the current system a “state property tax.” It is not city taxes that are out of line, Adler said. If Austin taxpayers are unhappy with the continuing increase in property taxes, they need look […]
Posted inBudget
Budget proposal would raise Austin property taxes, increase permitting capacity
Austin homeowners could see higher property tax bills next year. Under the city’s proposed $3.9 billion budget, most residents with a median-value home ($305,510) would pay an additional $118 in property taxes compared to last year. Utility fees would rise, too – with median-value homeowners seeing an additional $60 annually in fees. The proposed budget […]
Posted inBudget
Budget: Staff says higher taxes needed
Even though Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo has already held 13 separate budget sessions and several retreats with City Council as well as numerous other meetings with boards and commissions and interested citizens, budget season begins in earnest today. The bottom line for Austin taxpayers: A taxpayer who is not a senior citizen […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: We have questions
Not a priority… When it comes to more transit priority lanes, Austin Transportation Director Robert Spillar is not running any red lights. At the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Traffic Jam last week, Spillar talked about the tricky nature of dedicating right of way to buses and trains. “There’s four ways I know how to do […]
Posted inBudget
Push on to ‘normalize’ minority chambers’ funding
Austin’s four minority group chambers of commerce could see their funding from the city of Austin restructured and made more transparent in the coming budget year, a change that is seen as needed to make the groups more equal. The city’s Economic Prosperity Commission approved a resolution at its meeting last week asking City Council […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Texas lawmakers may alter property tax collection. But how does it even work?
During a recent committee hearing on a property tax bill, a state lawmaker made an unusual comment: He praised Travis County. “Travis County has the best record on reducing tax rate,” said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), the author of Senate Bill 1. The bill, which has passed out of the full Senate and may […]
Posted inFire
Auditors to look at firefighters’ overtime
After considerable complaint from its newest members, Jimmy Flannigan and Alison Alter, City Council voted last month to amend the city’s General Fund budget by transferring $3.5 million from a stabilization reserve fund into the Austin Fire Department’s budget to pay for overtime expenses. Council on Thursday directed the Office of the City Auditor to look […]
Posted inCity Council
Budget stresses show in child care discussion
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo faced strong resistance at Tuesday’s work session to her resolution directing the city manager to find funding to continue a child care services program for homeless families. Tovo and her cosponsors, City Council members Delia Garza, Leslie Pool and Pio Renteria, noted in their draft resolution that the city provided […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public safety agencies envision big staff increases
In presentations to the Public Safety Commission Monday, leaders of the Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency Management Services called for significantly boosting staff in the coming years, both to make up for existing shortages and to keep up with the city’s rapidly growing population. Jasper Brown, the assistant chief for Austin-Travis County EMS, told […]
Posted inBudget
Mayor suggests changes to public safety pay
Paying for Austin’s public safety needs could add more than $75.9 million to the city’s General Fund budget over the next five years – with more than two-thirds of that funding going to the Austin Police Department, according to the city’s preliminary needs assessment. That assessment was part of a budget presentation made to City […]