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Library staff holds the line on 2015 funds

Despite the imminence of a glowing new Central Library on the horizon, the library department kept it humble Wednesday afternoon. As part of the city’s budget process, City Council heard from Brenda Branch, director of the Austin Public Library department.…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 14, 2014

Background checks for dog walkers ?

Fingerprinting and an eight-week wait for a background check … to walk shelter dogs? At Wednesday’s City Council budget work session, Council Member and mayoral candidate Mike Martinez noted that some would-be Austin Animal Center volunteers decide to help elsewhere…

Local Politics • By Jenny Blair • Aug 14, 2014

Hays County poised to call $188M bond election for new jail

Hays County officials say a new jail is needed now, and they want to put the question to voters. The jail, plus a communications facility and law enforcement center, could cost up to $188.5 million, and Hays County Commissioners seemed…

Local Government • By Andy Sevilla • Aug 14, 2014

Council hears feedback on boards and commissions transition

City Council heard opinions last week about a plan to move its massive boards and commissions network to the new 10-1 Council system next year. As anticipated, there were several complaints. The Boards and Commissions Transition Task Force issued its…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 14, 2014

Statesman endorses plan for homestead exemption; Martinez, Cole react

The American-Statesman in its Wednesday edition came out in favor of a 20 percent homestead exemption as proposed by mayoral candidate Steve Adler. The other major contenders, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Council Member Mike Martinez have criticized Adler’s…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Aug 14, 2014

Austin Monitor Radio, Show 11: Water

Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros joins the Monitor‘s Mike Kanin to talk drought, rates, and the future of water in Central Texas.

Resources • By Michael Kanin • Aug 13, 2014

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Council meetings to consider utility fund, rail ballot, flood buyouts

The Austin City Council will hold two special called meetings this week, one Thursday following the Council Committee on Austin Energy, and one Friday at 1p.m. Thursday’s meeting includes consideration of whether to allow the utility to transfer $30 million…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Aug 13, 2014

Ethics Review Commission dismisses complaint against Neslund

The Ethics Review Commission dismissed a complaint Tuesday night that Melissa Neslund should have registered as a lobbyist, after a hearing that chair Austin Kaplan called perhaps the board’s most contentious. A special called meeting of the commission weighed whether…

Local Politics • By Jenny Blair • Aug 13, 2014

Pay raise for Travis County employees in limbo

Travis County elected officials will not get a pay raise next year, following a recommendation by the Planning and Budget Office that the Commissioners Court unanimously approved Tuesday. Other county employees, with few exceptions, will have to wait to find out whether…

Local Politics • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 13, 2014

Property tax relief hot topic at mayoral forum

During the South Austin Democrats‘ mayoral candidate forum Tuesday night, candidate Steve Adler defended his position in support of a citywide 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Fellow mayoral candidates Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole have blasted Adler’s flat 20 percent…

Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 13, 2014

ZAP OKs zoning change for northside bar

Those spoiling for a fight were left unfulfilled Tuesday night, when the Zoning and Platting Commission calmly recommended zoning for a northwest bar and restaurant, despite existing code violations. The owners of Pour House Pints and Pies at 11835 Jollyville…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 12, 2014

Council committee questions plans for Oak Hill Parkway project update

Austin City Council members questioned Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and Texas Department of Transportation representatives last week about their decision not to advance elements of a resident-supported plan to reconstruct the congested U.S. Highway 290 and State Highway 71…

Development • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 12, 2014

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