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Drained from emergency debris collections, Austin Resource Recovery prepares for a squeeze this budget cycle

As it continues to pick up the pieces of Winter Storm Mara, Austin Resource Recovery is preparing to weather financial challenges thanks to the $20 million relief effort. Four months out from budget season, Director Ken Snipes and Finance Division…

Austin • By Kali Bramble • Apr 4, 2023

Austin is short lifeguards every year. One problem is the application process.

Austin consistently struggles to fully staff its public pools. A report out last week from the Office of the City Auditor suggests part of that struggle is due to an overly complicated – and unreliable – application process to become a lifeguard. To fully…

Parks • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 4, 2023

Planning Commission discusses whether city should preserve industrial areas

A case at the Planning Commission on March 28 sparked discussion about whether the city should try to preserve remaining industrial areas or encourage their redevelopment.  In question is a 13-acre property at 5010 Burleson Road in Southeast Austin. The…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 4, 2023

Central Health demographic report finds 'no escape' from regional cost-of-living crisis

Austin’s cost-of-living crisis has spread into a regional issue impacting Travis and surrounding counties, according to Central Health’s 2022 Demographic Report. The report, key findings of which Central Health staff discussed in a community conservation last week, found that Austin…

Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 3, 2023

Austin Energy's general manager, Jackie Sargent, steps down

Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent has retired – effective immediately – according to a memo from interim City Manager Jesús Garza. Sargent served as the public utility’s top executive for nearly six years. Sargent was the highest-paid city employee, earning…

City Hall • By Haya Panjwani, KUT • Apr 3, 2023

Conservation Corps sees success, and possible expansion, in city memo

An evaluation of the city’s Civilian Conservation Corps program shows that nearly 200 people have been placed in city jobs in areas that had been historically difficult to fill. A memo released last week by Kimberly McNeeley, director of the…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 3, 2023

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Audit claims fraud by contractor for city health department

In a report released Thursday, the Office of the City Auditor detailed its investigation into allegations that a nonprofit contractor for Austin Public Health “committed fraud by misrepresenting over $1.1 million in financial transactions across three contracts” with the health…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 31, 2023

Austin launches displacement prevention pilot program

Austin will soon have a network of displacement prevention organizers connecting vulnerable communities with the city programs and resources they need to stay in their homes and communities. The city announced the program’s launch on March 30, during a press…

Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 31, 2023

Redevelopment of East Austin dairy plant gets Planning Commission approval

A dairy plant in East Austin could soon be redeveloped into a massive mixed-use project, pending the outcome of a zoning change request. Developer Endeavor Real Estate plans to build 1,400 multifamily units, a 220-room hotel, 411,500 square feet of…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 31, 2023

A new plan for libraries calls for expansion

City Council approved a plan for Austin Public Library last Thursday that features a new set of strategic goals and calls for the expansion of libraries across the fast-growing city.  In early 2022, a Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) started assessing…

City Council • By Ava Garderet • Mar 31, 2023

Austin Water says it's doing better in the face of crises

At Wednesday’s joint meeting of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee and the Austin Water Oversight Committee, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson answered questions about a variety of topics, but one of the most difficult involved vacancies within the…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 30, 2023

Council approves review of historic preservation incentives, with eye on equity

City Council wants incentives connected to historic preservation to be used more equitably, and has directed the city manager to review and suggest changes to city policies that could result in more historic designations in East Austin. Last week Council…

Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 30, 2023

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