Arguments made in consumer advocate hearing

A Thursday afternoon hearing likely brought the city one step closer to hiring an independent consumer advocate for the ongoing Austin Energy rate review. Attorney Stephen Webb, the independent hearings officer for the case, heard arguments from representatives of Oxford…

Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 8, 2016

Travis County jail faces growing mental health crisis

Travis County has seen an astonishing rise in the number of inmates dealing with mental health issues in the past decade. That message was the thrust of a lengthy briefing delivered to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday by a broad…

Local Government • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 7, 2016

Consumer advocate hearing to take place today

As Austin Energy moves forward on a rate review, one puzzle piece remains missing – an independent consumer advocate for smaller customers. That piece may soon come closer to falling into place. On Dec. 14, the sole remaining bidder for…

Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 7, 2016

Small-lot code fix divides commissioners

Plans to tighten the city’s code to prevent an unintended use of the city’s small-lot amnesty provision are moving to City Council without a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Small-lot amnesty allows the development of lots as small as 2,500…

The Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 7, 2016

Zoning commissioner voices concerns about Austin Oaks charrette

Developers and neighbors participating in the design charrette regarding Austin Oaks, a proposed major mixed-use development at the southwest corner of MoPac Expressway and Spicewood Springs Road, told the Zoning and Platting Commission on Tuesday that preparations for the event…

Development • By Jack Craver • Jan 7, 2016

Mayor Steve Adler says it was a very good year

One year into his term, Mayor Steve Adler says there are so many things to do that being the top elected leader of the city requires his attention 18 hours a day. He took one of those hours – on…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 6, 2016

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City manager reviews 2015 as transitional year

After nearly eight years as Austin’s city manager, Marc Ott remains the most powerful man in city government. But he keeps his hands on the wheel, rarely making public comments about his job or what he sees in Austin’s future.…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jan 6, 2016

Leffingwell: The jury's still out on new system

The Austin Monitor sat down with former Mayor Lee Leffingwell at the end of 2015 to get his observations about how the new single-member district system is working and what he thinks City Council’s challenges might be in 2016. Leffingwell…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jan 6, 2016

Mayor Pro Tem Tovo reflects on an “interesting” year

As the sole returning member of City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo is able to offer a unique perspective on the past year. Tovo was re-elected to represent Central Austin’s District 9, which includes downtown, and was later elected…

City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 5, 2016

Gallo touts tax cuts, bemoans traffic after first year

In her first year on City Council, Sheri Gallo occupied a unique place on the 11-member body. After triumphing in a close runoff election against longtime progressive activist Mandy Dealey in December 2014, Gallo was widely perceived as one of…

City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 5, 2016

One year in, Eckhardt looks forward to new challenges

As 2015 came to a close, the first woman elected to wield the gavel at Travis County Commissioners Court surveyed her historic first year on the job with confident satisfaction. “It was really good, I think. I think we achieved…

Local Government • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 5, 2016

Pool looks back at past year, outlines future plans

City Council Member Leslie Pool made the environment, city services and transparency major issues in her 2014 campaign, and based on her look back at the freshman year of Austin’s first 10-1 Council, she remains concerned about those issues. The…

City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 4, 2016

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