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County to create new legal division, but advocates call for more autonomy

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a proposal on Tuesday to create a new community legal division along with a county executive position to oversee certain elements of it. Under the plan, the chief public defender would report to a…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Apr 20, 2023

Long Center moving toward shared services pilot program for arts groups

The Long Center for the Performing Arts is moving ahead with planning for a proposed pilot program that would offer shared services and expected cost savings for small, cash-strapped arts organizations around the city. The pilot program, which is expected…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 20, 2023

The University of Texas says it will help low-income students pay for housing

University of Texas students whose families earn less than $125,000 a year may be able to get money to cover a portion of their on-campus rent for one academic year. University officials teased the new program in an op-ed in the Austin American–Statesman last…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Apr 20, 2023

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 4.20.23

Today, City Council will once again convene for its regular meeting. Given the speed of the newest incarnation of our city government and the fact that this is the second such meeting in as many weeks, it looks like this…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 20, 2023

City Council interrogates APD, city staff about DPS partnership

More than three weeks after Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced a new partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, City Council members had a chance to ask APD leadership and city staff about the…

Police • By Emma Freer • Apr 19, 2023

City on track with lifeguard hiring, director says

Great progress has been made in the hiring of lifeguards, Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley told City Council at Tuesday’s work session. In addition to the $20 per hour salary, McNeeley said those who complete their training and…

Parks • By Jo Clifton • Apr 19, 2023

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Council allocates next three years of Project Connect anti-displacement funds

The city continued allocation of Project Connect’s $300 million anti-displacement budget last week. At its regular meeting on April 13, City Council voted to approve a resolution allocating the funds for the next three fiscal years. The first round of…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 19, 2023

City Council to consider expanded arts, music venue code language by June

The city’s Music and Arts commissions have given their support to expanded definitions of what constitutes music venues and creative spaces, in the hope that the city will move ahead with building code changes and incentives to encourage those spaces…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 18, 2023

Austin ISD requests review of state’s plan to manage its special education department

The Austin Independent School District announced Monday that it is requesting an informal review of the state’s plan to oversee the district’s special education department. Texas Education Agency officials announced last month that they wanted to install conservators because Austin…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Apr 18, 2023

With no end in sight to electric vehicle boom, Austin Energy embraces the transportation sector

As new battery-powered car models from General Motors and Ford roll into the market, Austin Energy is racing to ensure the city’s infrastructure is ready for them. The utility’s electric vehicle and emerging technologies team stopped by last week’s work…

Energy • By Kali Bramble • Apr 18, 2023

Neighbors hope for midnight closing, no loud music at new bar on Guadalupe

City Council gave first reading approval last week for a zoning change for property at 3100 Guadalupe St. that would allow the owners to operate a cocktail lounge on the site after getting a conditional use permit to do so.…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Apr 18, 2023

Planning Commission proposes changes to compatibility

The Planning Commission Tuesday launched a proposal that would let single-family homeowners decide to allow taller buildings near them. The change to city code would let individual owners waive compatibility, a rule that limits the height of buildings near single-family homes…

Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 17, 2023

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