Prop A would mandate 2 police officers per 1,000 residents. Where does that ratio come from?

What’s in a ratio? A lot, if voters are being asked to mandate one. Proposition A, one of two local measures on the Nov. 2 ballot, asks Austinites if they want to set a minimum staffing ratio for the Austin Police…

Council to adopt TIRZ, implement full south waterfront plan

The long-delayed South Central Waterfront Plan moved closer to implementation Thursday after City Council initiated a tax increment reinvestment zone to guide the use of new property tax revenue on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake.  The TIRZ is…

County staffers update commissioners on the jail plan resolution

Last Tuesday’s Commissioners Court session focused on the future of the women’s jail. The Planning and Budget Office reported on the June 15 resolution, which asked county staff for strategies to reduce the number of incarcerated women and enhance jail…

City sees details of homelessness strategy, with push to raise $115M

City Council learned in detail Thursday how its $210 million in federal aid, bond funds and other allocations will be used to address and possibly end homelessness over the next three years. The presentation by Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey…

ZAP votes against rezoning for affordable housing project, the Rhett

The Zoning and Platting Commission Tuesday recommended denying a rezoning for the Rhett, an affordable housing project at 1000 East Yager Lane in North Austin.  The commission’s vote comes as the city falls short on its affordable housing production goals.…

Board of Adjustment fee assistance moves forward

At last Thursday’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved a resolution designed to alleviate economic barriers to participating in the Board of Adjustment process. The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Pro-Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, outlines the development of a BoA applicant assistance program…

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Texans will decide on eight constitutional amendments this election. Here's what they mean.

Lee esta historia en español. This Nov. 2 election, Texans have the chance to vote on eight amendments to the state constitution. What would each amendment actually do? Read our voter guide below to find out. Early voting began Monday…

County proceeds with vehicle electrification effort

On Tuesday, Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources staff updated the county on the vehicle fleet electrification plan, as directed by a resolution commissioners adopted in June. The resolution notes that as transportation is the primary contributor to carbon emissions…

Panelists look at impacts, opportunities brought by Tesla and others

With Austin an increasingly popular relocation choice for major companies and public institutions, the area’s infrastructure, employment dynamics and education systems are in for significant impacts in the coming years. That was the messages panelists had for local real estate…

Attorney raises questions about wording of Prop B

No sooner had we explained the ins and outs of Proposition B on the Nov. 2 ballot when attorney Bill Aleshire came along and attempted to show that the ballot language is misleading and may not give the city the…

Meeting lays out plan for ARPA funds allocated to alleviate homelessness

On Monday, the Homeless Strategy Office hosted a community meeting to discuss the proposed spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds directed toward helping the homeless community in Austin. The city intends to invest $106.7 million from ARPA…

How Capital Metro is able to offer free rides

Last month, Capital Metro announced that for the month of October, it would waive all bus and train fares as a way to encourage people to use public transit and to ease recent service interruptions. The decision to waive fees…