Austin Energy rate hike could be higher than projected

Austin Energy residential customers face possible rate increases that would be substantially higher than the 12 percent average that has been widely reported, according to preliminary figures presented to the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC) on Monday night.   The…

Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jul 19, 2011

City studies possible changes in UNO fees

The University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) has been one of the city’s most successful programs for promoting affordable housing. But now, supporters of the initial UNO program are pushing hard to revise fee in-lieu terms to target beds, rather than units,…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Jul 19, 2011

Arbitration ruling hovers over second round of Fire Department interviews

Nearly two months to the day after city officials announced that they would be re-testing more than 2,500 candidates for cadet positions in the Austin Fire Department, the city’s Human Resources Department began the new round of structured oral interviews…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jul 19, 2011

Commission approves variance to allow 10-foot retaining wall

The Zoning and Platting Commission has approved environmental variances that will allow a 10-foot retaining wall to stand in southwest Austin.   The wall was not part of the approved construction plan, and construction of the homes on the site…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 18, 2011

New Formula 1 committee could face future conflict-of-interest issues

Two weeks after City Council endorsed a controversial plan to bring Formula 1 to Austin, the committee authorized by Council to act on the city’s behalf held their first public meeting Saturday. The Circuit Events Local Organizing Committee will hold…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jul 18, 2011

List of potential LCRA bidders includes Wall Street investment firms

In the process of selling a host of Central Texas water utilities, the Lower Colorado River Authority has obtained confidentiality agreements from the Wall Street investment firm Morgan Stanley, an Australian “alternative investment” group called Access Capital Advisors, and the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 18, 2011

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Groups divided over distribution of funds to Holly neighborhood

A coalition once united to oppose and close the Holly Power Plant now has divided over Austin Energy’s actions to address inequities in the area.   The divide was uncomfortably obvious at Tuesday night’s Community Development Commission meeting. On one…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Jul 15, 2011

Construction of new Travis Courthouse could be four years away

If Travis County elects to build its new Civil and Family Law Courthouse by way of a public-private partnership, groundbreaking could be many years off. “I’m saying: three, four years before we break ground,” Travis County Purchasing officer Cyd Grimes…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 15, 2011

City’s 911 call center suffering from high turnover rate, staff burnout

A lack of proper staffing may be contributing to a 25 percent turnover rate at the City of Austin’s 911 call center. According to Austin Police Department emergency communications manager Marcia Brooks, the amount of overtime forced on call center…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 14, 2011

City seeking federal funds for Eastside revitalization

Austin will submit its much anticipated, and somewhat delayed, application for federal revitalization funds today, a grant intended to boost business expansion along an industrial corridor on Austin’s near East Side.   The Community Development Commission, which heard an update…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Jul 14, 2011

Travis County Commissioners take no action during redistricting hearing

The Travis County Commissioner’s Court once again tackled its upcoming redistricting, centering on a battle to keep voting precincts 101 and 106 in Precinct One. Commissioners Court was packed Tuesday with supporters of a map drawn by local political consultant…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 13, 2011

Commissioners OK search for new land for indigent cemetery

Travis County is running out of space – this time in the International Cemetery – which is the graveyard the county uses for burial of indigent county residents. One possible solution could cost taxpayers $2 million.   On a motion…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 13, 2011

« Previous Page — Next Page »