The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District moved to negotiate a contract with lobbyist firm Sledge Fancher to represent its interests in the upcoming Texas legislative session. District board members approved the firm on a 3-1 vote, as they were both attracted by and wary of lobbyist Brian Sledge’s reputation as a “gunslinger.” Sledge already represents a number of groundwater conservation districts, and district members said Sledge claimed that not a bill passes that he doesn’t want passed — conversely, not a bill is killed that he doesn’t have a part in killing. Craig Smith, the lone dissenting vote, said, “That didn’t sit very well with me … Is he going to work for us or work for himself?”

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District delayed its vote on approval of a draft habitat conservation plan for two additional weeks Thursday night. Board members made the move in response to comments during a public hearing. The postponement will give the district’s staff time to address concerns and the opportunity to make changes to the draft. Save Our Springs Alliance submitted a letter Thursday urging the delay. The alliance was concerned about the draft’s distinction between lethal and nonlethal take. Laurie Dries, of the Habitat Conservation Plan Management Advisory Committee, expressed similar concerns.

The board of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will hold a hearing tonight on adoption of a habitat conservation plan designed to ensure a minimum flow of water to Barton Springs for the endangered salamanders that live there, even during a record drought. According to General Manager John Dupnik, the plan has been in development over the past 10 years and includes “a program and system of conservation measures designed to avoid, minimize and mitigate for any adverse effect” that pumping from the aquifer might have on the salamanders. Dupnik added that the board might adopt the plan tonight, but more likely it would postpone action until the next meeting on Sept. 25. Board member Craig Smith, who was hospitalized over the weekend, has returned to work and plans to attend tonight’s meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the aquifer district offices, 1124 Regal Row in Manchaca.

Consultant Greyhill Advisors will present a report Thursday on the economic impact of the 2014 South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals on the City of Austin. SXSW officials say the 2014 impact analysis represents the eighth consecutive study to fully assess the nature of the festival and its beneficial economic effect on the city. SXSW Interactive Director Hugh Forrest will present the findings, and Michael Rollins with the Austin Chamber of Commerce will offer remarks. SXSW officials say the festival has brought more than $1 billion to the Austin economy over the past five years. In 2007, SXSW’s economic impact was measured at approximately $95 million, and by 2013,  that number had grown to $218 million. The presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Long Center.

The Zero Waste Advisory Commission canceled its regular meeting set for Wednesday this week. The agenda had included discussion and action on proposed revisions to the Private Hauler Program, as well as discussion about proposed revisions to City Collection Services. Both of these items involve revising language in City Code. City Council has postponed its consideration of both items until Nov. 6 in order to allow for an expanded stakeholder process. Texas Disposal Systems’ Adam Gregory sent an email to the Zero Waste commissioners Wednesday, also requesting that they postpone action on the two items “until after the stakeholder process that Council discussed …  actually occurs.” The next ZWAC regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8.

A development company has donated 19 acres of land near Niederwald for the use of Hays County’s planned extension of FM 2001. Canada-based developer Walton Development and Management is planning a major project along the border of Hays and Caldwell counties. Hays County officials say the FM 2001 project will connect Interstate 35 and Texas 130, and relieve the traffic flow into Austin. Under the terms of the deal, Walton is donating the use of the right of way to Hays County, which will control the land but not transfer ownership. The tract is where Walton wants to build Camino Real, a proposed development west of Texas 21.

The group “Citizens for Tax Relief NOW” drew a crowd of reporters Tuesday at a news conference to address the city budget process taking place across the river. As may become typical in this election, speakers probably outnumbered attendees, with candidates and political figures each making their pitch toward lowering taxes. Speakers included mayoral candidate Todd Phelps, District 6 candidate Jay Wiley, District 10 candidate Bill Worsham, District 3 candidate Julian Limon Fernandez and Travis County judge candidate Mike McNamara. The conference also featured Americans for Prosperity Texas Policy Director Peggy Venable, who released a statement saying that government spending and debt was outpacing Austin’s growth. She wrote: “Local government debt in Texas is a growing threat to our economic freedom.” Highlights of the news conference included a promise from Fernandez to lower property taxes by 20 percent, a promise from Phelps to lower the property tax rate immediately, and a warning from Phelps that Council was planning to ban all cellphones. Though Citizens for Tax Relief NOW identify themselves as a “nonpartisan citizen-led issue organization,” they do seem to share a photographer with the Austin Texas Tea Party, with each of their websites using the same picture of Austin.

Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept the resignation of longtime probate judge Guy Herman, who has announced his retirement.  Commissioners named Herman’s associate judge, Dan Preshner, as interim probate judge until a permanent judge is in place. Commissioners may call a special election to fill the seat.

One of the last changes to City Council’s budget session Tuesday came at the behest of Council Member Chris Riley. That change will reduce the fee for businesses to install “street patios,” which is a new category for the city that allows downtown businesses to use their street parking as outdoor patio space. After the approval, participation in the program will cost $2,400 per space per year, instead of the proposed $4,000. Though the $4,000 fee was based on the revenue that would be lost from the absence of a space, Riley argued that there was a public benefit that should be taken into account, as is done with valet spaces. The concept was tested as part of a pilot program at the Congress Avenue location of Royal Blue Grocery. The rate change passed unanimously.

Mayoral Candidate David Orshalick, who has been fairly quiet since getting on the ballot in August, will officially launch his “bold mayoral campaign” tonight. In a news release, Orshalick announced that he will kick off his campaign at the Upper District 7 Candidate Forum, which is taking place at 7 p.m. at the St. Albert’s Church on Metric Boulevard. In his news release, Orshalick promises to “shake things up” at City Hall, writing, “Austin is worth saving. The time has come to move away from the ineffective, nonresponsive City government that led us to this precipice … Together, we can create and implement a plan that leads Austin into a vibrant and viable future where residents and visitors alike can experience the affordable high quality of life we deserve.”

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is temporarily prohibiting the building of fires and smoking in all city parks, greenbelts and preserves due to the dangerous fire hazard conditions that currently exist in the Central Texas area. This includes the use of wood or charcoal BBQ pits/grills/smokers. Propane stoves are allowed in designated picnic areas only. PARD is working with park police and park rangers in the enforcement of the fire-building and smoking ban in order to provide for the public’s safety. Violations of this burn ban may result in a fine between $300 and $500. PARD will evaluate conditions to determine when to lift the ban.

Among the many budget items City Council approved yesterday was $507,000 for Austin public libraries. That money will go toward restoring library hours that were cut in prior budgets. The money will allow the libraries affected by cuts to reopen on Thursdays and Fridays. The money is a boon for library patrons, as it was not requested by Austin Public Library director Brenda Branch, who had planned to request the money in conjunction with the opening of the new, downtown Central Library.