Austin's fleet maintenance costly, audit shows

The cost of providing routine oil changes and inspections of the city’s light-duty, nonpublic safety vehicles is more than twice the cost of an oil change and inspection at a private company, according to an audit released by the Office…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jun 8, 2017

Local leaders slam Abbott's special session call

The Austin area’s top two elected leaders reacted quickly and harshly to Gov. Greg Abbott’s unusual call for a special session of the 85th Texas Legislature on Tuesday afternoon. “I admit to being a little dumbfounded when I hear what…

Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 7, 2017

Budget stresses show in child care discussion

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo faced strong resistance at Tuesday’s work session to her resolution directing the city manager to find funding to continue a child care services program for homeless families. Tovo and her cosponsors, City Council members Delia…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 7, 2017

AISD board calls for budget to be more voter-friendly

A budget can be financially sound and make economic sense, but if it doesn’t make sense to the public, it’s worthless. That’s the point that some Austin Independent School District board trustees tried to drive home to district administration and…

AISD • By Joseph Caterine • Jun 7, 2017

Council to weigh move to limit events in major urban parks

Special events in the city’s three core parks will eventually be scaled back in coming years if City Council approves Thursday the first slate of measures aimed at preserving local parkland. The ordinance up for consideration would alter current rules…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 7, 2017

Lake Austin group sues city over open meetings

A group of Lake Austin homeowners on Monday sued the city of Austin, claiming that the city’s notice concerning the zoning and waiver of environmental regulations on what is known as the Champion tract, was inadequate and therefore violated the…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jun 6, 2017

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Land use commissions' collaboration on CodeNEXT shows signs of wear

Months of the land use commissions generally seeing eye-to-eye regarding the CodeNEXT draft text and mapping may be over after tensions flared between members of the Planning and Zoning and Platting commissions during their May 30 joint meeting. Just before…

Land Development Code • By Joseph Caterine • Jun 6, 2017

police officers saluting

Public safety agencies envision big staff increases

In presentations to the Public Safety Commission Monday, leaders of the Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency Management Services called for significantly boosting staff in the coming years, both to make up for existing shortages and to keep up with…

Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Jun 6, 2017

Democrats call on Dukes to step down for failing to show up

Democratic House Rep. Dawnna Dukes of Austin was already in hot water at the start of the legislative session. She had walked back a promise to resign and, soon after, was indicted. But Travis County Democrats say she then failed…

Local Politics • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Jun 6, 2017

Report finds most traffic on Rainey Street stems from surrounding roadways

Traffic congestion has long been a concern for people who live and work along Rainey Street. Last year, neighbors struck a deal with a developer looking to build new condos in the area. They agreed to conduct a comprehensive traffic…

Planning • By Syeda Hasan • Jun 5, 2017

Economic development sessions to target middle-class jobs, local business growth

A focus on middle-class job growth, workforce development and growing existing businesses are some of the priorities the city’s business boosters will emphasize this week during a series of community meetings intended to shape local economic development policies. The seven…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 5, 2017

Central Health board chair lays out case against nominee

The chair of the Central Health Board of Managers is ramping up the pressure on City Council to reject an applicant to the board due to the applicant’s position with a major hospital. In a lengthy letter sent Friday to…

Public Health • By Jack Craver • Jun 5, 2017

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