Public Safety Commission endorses distracted driving ordinance

Public Safety Commissioners got a preview Monday of recommendations to expand the city’s ban on texting while driving. The recommendations from the Distracted Driving Working Group – formed by City Council in January via a resolution – propose banning the…

Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Aug 5, 2014

LCRA finalizes sale of 18 small water systems to Corix Utilities

The Lower Colorado River Authority has closed the sale of 18 of its former small water/wastewater systems to Corix Utilities Texas, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based Corix Utilities. Officials gave no price for the transaction. LCRA officials announced in 2010 that…

Resources • By Mark Richardson • Aug 5, 2014

Landmark Commission says no to neon sign for downtown P. Terry’s

P. Terry’s Burger Stand is coming to downtown Austin, but it will not be sporting a neon sign, much to the chagrin of its owner. Last week, the Historic Landmark Commission denied a request for a neon sign for P.…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 4, 2014

Landmark Commission considers Travis Heights bungalow relocation

The Historic Landmark Commission is taking a month to ponder whether it is worth going out on a limb to keep a Travis Heights bungalow in place. Don Garner is seeking permission to relocate his 1926 bungalow at 206 East…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 4, 2014

Travis County spending for July 29

Here’s the Monitor’s weekly detailed rundown of Travis County’s spending and unbudgeted revenue, for the week of July 29, 2014 Tuesday, the County Commissioners approved $1,018,612.24 in expenditures: $710,444.24 for reimbursement to United Health Care for claims paid for participants in the…

Local Government • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 4, 2014

Energy, water utility rates top Council concerns over 2015 budget

The Austin City Council took on next year’s budget in earnest Thursday. Of the $3.5 billion budget, members’ biggest concerns continued to rest with the city’s water and energy utilities. A proposal from Austin Energy to increase the fuel charge…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 1, 2014

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Developers vow to pay affordable housing fees despite changes to PUD

Changes to Austin’s Hyatt Regency on Barton Springs Road are on the way. The Hyatt is part of a 9.56-acre Planned Unit Development that was approved by City Council in 2007. As part of that original agreement, developers promised to…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 1, 2014

Rideshare supporters meet to discuss ways to legalize services

Supporters of a potential pilot program for commercial rideshare companies to be legally implemented in Austin gathered Wednesday at the Chicago House. The event featured short lectures from two keynote speakers about how Austin could accommodate these companies, followed by…

Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 1, 2014

FY 2015 budget features small jumps in property taxes, fees

City budget writers are proposing a 2.2-cent decrease in property taxes for Fiscal Year 2014-15 but because the valuation on many properties has gone up, most property owners will still be paying higher taxes, according to Chief Financial Officer Elaine…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 31, 2014

Former commissioner seeks to change city policies in ethics cases

Former Zero Waste Advisory Commissioner Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez, who resigned after accusations of conflict-of-interest violations, is asking the city to reconsider how it does business. Her situation could change how the city deals with ethics complaints against people who serve…

Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 31, 2014

Travis County investigating appraisal inequities

Travis County is assembling work groups to investigate alleged inequities in the state property tax appraisal system. Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Deece Eckstein has plans to fulfill the mandate from the court to create the working groups. They include getting an…

Local Government • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Jul 31, 2014

Revenue shortfall creates budget worries for aquifer district

Revenue is down for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and its board members are starting to worry. The members expressed concerns at Thursday night’s meeting as they approved the fiscal year 2015 budget, citing a revenue loss of…

Resources • By Alex Dropkin • Jul 31, 2014

« Previous Page — Next Page »