Federal court rules Austin’s short-term rental rules unlawful

Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra on Tuesday issued a ruling that overturns Austin’s short-term rental ordinance adopted in 2016. The plaintiffs, Robert Anding and his wife, Roberta, filed suit against the city after attempting to register one of…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Aug 3, 2023

Proposed police budget increase sparks community pushback

Interim City Manager Jesús Garza’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 city budget proposal would increase the Austin Police Department’s operating budget by $31.7 million, or slightly more than 7 percent, prompting pushback from police reform advocates. Some of the major cost drivers…

Budget • By Emma Freer • Aug 3, 2023

Travis County to set pay raises for elected officials in line with all county workers

Travis County is in the preliminary stages of raising pay for its elected officials by 5 percent. The news came during the Tuesday session of the Travis County Commissioners Court. Todd Osburn, the assistant director of total rewards with the…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Aug 3, 2023

CodeNEXT

Real estate leaders see hope in smaller lot sizes as demand for housing remains strong

“In Austin, you don’t have enough housing for the demand in the pipeline. … I can’t say it simpler. We all agree we have increased inventory, but with the demand coming down the pipeline, and then you had two quarters…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 3, 2023

Garza says reorganization ‘will in no way diminish’ offices of Civil Rights, Equity

Interim City Manager Jesús Garza has clarified his plans for reorganizing a handful of city offices, including the Equity and Civil Rights offices, which will be located in different buildings despite being part of the newly created Community and Business…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 2, 2023

Disability advocates raise safety, accessibility concerns with Cap Metro board

A member of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Access Advisory Committee is calling for monthly safety briefings from the board after the organization failed to address multiple instances of sexual harassment on the part of a MetroAccess driver. Audrea Diaz was…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 2, 2023

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Proposed budget includes small changes at Austin Energy, Austin Resource Recovery

Citing Austin Energy’s critically low levels of cash reserves, the utility’s financial planners are proposing that it raise base rates by 2 percent, which will cost the typical residential customer about $1.04 per month, Budget Officer Kerri Lang told City…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 2, 2023

Austin just had its hottest July ever. Could this summer break an all-time record?

It’s now official: This July was the hottest ever recorded for the Austin area – and the city’s second-hottest month ever, behind August 2011. And this heat is probably not done breaking records. With August still ahead, there’s a chance…

Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Aug 2, 2023

Insurance costs listed among music venues' biggest challenges at city summit

The rising cost of liability insurance has become a substantial pain point for music venues in Austin, with attendees of the city’s recent music venue summit pointing to six-figure yearly premiums as one of their most substantial costs. The general…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 1, 2023

Austin Energy assisting more customers with utility bills

Austin Energy has exceeded its initial target for enrolling new customers in the utility’s Customer Assistance Program, according to Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn. Last week, Kahn sent a memo to Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council detailing the…

Energy • By Jo Clifton • Aug 1, 2023

City manager delays controversial new telework policy

Interim City Manager Jesús Garza is delaying implementation of a controversial new telework policy that will require most city employees to work in the office at least three days per week. In a July 19 email, interim Human Resources Director…

City Hall • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 31, 2023

Urban Land Institute offers a glimpse at plans for UT's many real estate holdings in Austin

From the development of the life sciences Innovation District to land eyed for possible use by federally funded semiconductor research and manufacturing, the land holdings of the University of Texas continue to play a huge role in the development efforts…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 31, 2023

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