Austin Police Department keeps running on overtime

In January 2019, the Austin Monitor reported that APD had 110 vacancies and was making up for those vacancies by paying officers overtime. On Monday, Assistant Police Chief James Mason told the Public Safety Commission the department now has 329…

Police • By Jo Clifton • Jul 11, 2023

After years of staffing woes, Austin finally hires enough lifeguards by start of swim season

Austin finally has enough lifeguards. This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the hiring of more than 1,000 lifeguards this swim season. That allowed PARD to open all 32 operational pools in its expansive aquatics system and extend…

Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 11, 2023

City starting over on Ryan Drive redevelopment project

The city appears ready to hit the reset button on the redevelopment of its Ryan Drive property in North Austin, more than a year after selecting a development team that appeared ready to move the project forward. Last month the…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 11, 2023

Environmental Commission recommends Save Our Springs Ordinance amendment

The city’s Environmental Commission voted on July 5 to recommend an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance that will pave the way for the completion of the long-awaited Barton Springs Bathhouse rehabilitation. The motion passed 10-0, with Commissioner Peter…

Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 10, 2023

District-by-district analysis shows unequal progress on affordable housing construction

The nonprofit HousingWorks Austin on June 29 released its eighth “District by District and Community at a Glance Analysis,” an annual report that shows how many units of subsidized affordable housing have been built in each City Council district, as…

Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 10, 2023

City, conservancy moving ahead with Rainey Street safety improvements

The Parks and Recreation Department has proposed up to $1 million in permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in the Rainey Street District. A memo released last week by department Director…

Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 10, 2023

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What you need to know about Austin's budget season

It’s that time of year again. The process to adopt the annual city budget is set to begin late next week and last through mid-August, according to a detailed schedule released by Mayor Kirk Watson last Friday.  Over the next…

Budget • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 7, 2023

Environmental Commission wants public engagement on airport development plan update

The Environmental Commission voted to recommend a proposed update to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Master Development Plan at its regular meeting July 5. The original master plan ordinance passed in 1994 was designed as a blueprint for redevelopment of the…

Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 7, 2023

Music Commission hears testimony and then delays vote on SXSW pay

The Music Commission delayed action on the matter of fair pay for South by Southwest performers, holding nearly three hours of discussion on the controversial topic Wednesday night before rescheduling possible action until next month. The delay on the SXSW…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 7, 2023

Travis County to look at cost-of-living adjustments and pay increases for in-person workers

Travis County commissioners recently discussed whether the county can increase pay for its non-remote workers, as well as the possibility of cost-of-living wage increases. Todd Osburn of the county’s compensation office on June 27 briefed the Travis County Commissioners Court…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jul 6, 2023

Austin ISD is getting federal money to install solar panels at more than a dozen campuses

The Austin Independent School District is one of two dozen school systems nationwide to get a new federal grant to make campuses more energy efficient. Austin ISD will receive nearly $15 million for its Solar for Schools project through the…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 6, 2023

Interim city manager updates Office of Police Oversight procedures

Austin’s Office of Police Oversight has been in limbo in recent years. Its authority to investigate allegations of police misconduct was dismantled in 2021. Its director, Farah Muscadin, resigned in 2022. The city’s police labor contract expired – without a…

Police • By Emma Freer • Jul 6, 2023

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