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Plan suggests shutdown of Decker power plant

The City of Austin is considering taking the Decker Creek Power Station offline in order to secure access to water from adjacent Lake Walter E. Long in the case of a future drought emergency. The idea is one of several key recommendations set forth…

Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 12, 2014

Environmental Board rejects fee hike for buyouts

A plan to finance Onion Creek home buyouts through an increase in the city’s drainage utility fee found no support at the Environmental Board last week. Board members asked City Council members to find another way. In a resolution passed…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 11, 2014

Leffingwell keeps his seat on BCCP coordinating committee

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will stay on as the City of Austin’s representative to the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan’s coordinating committee. His presence there — as one of only two representatives — had irked some of his colleagues in the…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Aug 11, 2014

Economic Development Department changing perceptions, funding

Changes are coming to Austin’s Economic Development Department this year, with a new source of revenue and a plan to change the public’s perception of its mission. As the FY2015 budget cycle gets into full swing, the city is in…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 11, 2014

Travis County employees wonder whether they will get a raise

Travis County Commissioners will spend their week discussing funding requests that the Planning and Budget Office did not include in its estimated $901 million Fiscal Year 2015 preliminary budget. Out of 16 total budget hearings, the majority will focus on…

Local Government • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 11, 2014

Council OKs $1 billion transportation bond measure

The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $600 million bond proposition Thursday on the Nov. 4 ballot to help fund a rail initiative, while promising to put an additional $400 million into roadway improvements through other means, probably certificates of obligation…

Development • By Natalie Krebs • Aug 8, 2014

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Council settles officer-involved shooting case for $1.25 million

The Austin City Council opted Thursday to pay $1.25 million to settle a claim related to an officer-involved shooting that took place last summer. Mayor Lee Leffingwell cast the only dissenting vote in the 6-1 decision. The claim alleged that former Austin Police…

Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 8, 2014

Austin for All coalition brings organization, candidates together

There is a brand-new coalition in Austin to go with our brand-new city government. The group, Austin for All, is a coalition that has formed in order to show “united support for policies that will improve our city.” Members described…

Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2014

Travis County fiscal picture for Aug. 5, 2014

Here’s a look at Travis County’s spending habits, approved by the County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5. Expenditures out of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, totaling $1,943,041.39: $243,080 to Atchley & Associates for financial audit services for Fiscal Year 2014.…

Local Government • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 8, 2014

TxDOT won't withdraw draft of SH45 SW environmental study

The Texas Department of Transportation has refused to suspend or withdraw the draft environmental impact statement, called an EIS, for the roadway design of SH45 Southwest, as requested by Austin City Manager Marc Ott July 23. In addition, TxDOT has…

Development • By Jo Clifton • Aug 7, 2014

Adler has a good day, but falls short of getting endorsement

Editor Jo Clifton contributed to this report. Although he did not win their endorsement, mayoral candidate Steve Adler had a good day at the Austin Environmental Democrats meeting Wednesday, coming away with 47.5 percent of the vote. His closest rival,…

Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014

Environmental Democrats hear Riley, Tovo, but make no endorsement

In front of Wednesday’s standing-room only crowd at the Austin Environmental Democrats forum, micro houses– so-called “granny flats” – proved a defining issue between Council members and District 9 candidates Kathie Tovo and Chris Riley. However, neither of them was…

Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014

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