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Council moves towards higher minimum wage

The city of Austin inched closer to a higher minimum wage for its employees Thursday. City Council members voted to direct City Manager Marc Ott to consider a minimum wage raise when he sits down to craft the coming year’s…

Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 22, 2015

AISD educators ask for $24 million more

Employees from every area of the Austin Independent School District asked for higher wages Monday night. The most popular request came with a $24.5 million price tag. As in past meetings, Education Austin, an AISD teachers union, continued to advocate for an across-the-board 5…

AISD • By Courtney Griffin • May 22, 2015

Council pushes ahead on taxicab contracts, co-op

City Council concluded another chapter in the current taxicab franchise renewal saga Thursday, voting to tentatively renew contracts with the city’s three service providers and amend related regulations. It also directed city staff to explore creating a fourth, cooperative franchise.…

City Council • By Tyler Whitson • May 22, 2015

Economic development proposals going to task force

Mayor Steve Adler pushed for and won more time to consider an economic development plan for East Austin on Thursday. The plan will go along with consideration of an agreement to create PGA-style golf courses at Walter E. Long Metropolitan…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • May 22, 2015

Property tax system messed up; nobody happy

A property tax appraisal forum hosted by Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea on Tuesday told two sides of the same story: No one is happy with the property tax system. The forum, Shea’s second, included a panel of city officials…

Austin • By Sunny Sone • May 21, 2015

Council prepares for reworked drainage fee

In the wake of last year’s ruling that the city’s stormwater drainage charge is unfair to certain residents, City Council will hold a public hearing today to consider adopting a new fee structure that staff says would be more equitable…

Resources • By Tyler Whitson • May 21, 2015

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AISD lunches lead to plea for information

A consent-agenda item to increase school lunch prices held larger implications Monday as the Austin Independent School District strained against projected budget shortfalls in the upcoming year. At their regular meeting, members of the AISD board of trustees agreed to…

AISD • By Courtney Griffin • May 21, 2015

Committee considers density bonus revamp

On Monday, City Council’s Planning and Neighborhoods Committee started the conversations about whether it could change Austin’s Downtown Density Bonus Program to require on-site affordable housing. The Downtown Density Bonus Program allows developers increased entitlements, such as more height, in…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 21, 2015

Council may challenge "undervalued" appraisals

Following the release of a report stating that Austin commercial property in Travis County is “significantly undervalued,” City Council is considering an appraisal challenge that could reduce the burden on residential property taxpayers. Council discussed the potential move at a…

Austin • By Tyler Whitson • May 20, 2015

Houston sees disparity in treatment of parks

Unless the item gets bogged down by a requirement that a master plan for Lamar Beach be completed first, City Council is likely to approve on Thursday a 50-year agreement with the West Austin Youth Association for renovations to three…

Development • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2015

Ronnie Earle Building survives another close vote

A controversy-plagued building project survived yet one more do-or-die vote at Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. The commissioners approved a contract modification to set the guaranteed maximum price to build the Ronnie Earle Building at $42,487,620. The building will…

Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • May 20, 2015

Commissioners OK commercial zoning in East Austin

Acknowledging neighborhood support and ties to the community, Planning Commissioners last week recommended a compromised rezoning designation for an East Austin home. The switch will allow commercial use of the property. The commissioners agreed only after expressing concern that allowing one…

Zoning • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 20, 2015

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