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New legislation, filed Thursday by Sens. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Kirk Watson (D-Austin) would move oversight of water and sewer utilities from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Public Utility Commission. “Over the past decade, more…
A proposal from Council Member Bill Spelman, Mayor Lee Leffingwell, and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole to take the first step toward an independent governing board for Austin Energy passed on a surprise 7-0 vote Thursday night. Spelman and…
Public Utility Commission staff released written testimony today that calls for a $31.6 million reduction in the $105 million transfer Austin Energy sends to the City of Austin’s general fund. If ultimately forced on the city, that would represent a…
The Planning Commission moved forward swiftly with new downtown parking regulations Tuesday night. They voted unanimously to recommend the code amendment, which would eliminate downtown parking requirements, except for parking for the disabled. The vote was 8-0 to recommend…
Two actions at the Texas State Senate within the past week could have direct impact on the development of state owned land in and around the City of Austin. A bill filed Tuesday by Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and…
Though it will return in March, the discussion over a new Emergency Services District in northeast Travis County started on a heated note at the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. The proposed district – Travis County Emergency Services…
Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Council Member Bill Spelman, and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole continued to push for an independent governing body for Austin Energy at a Tuesday Council work session. In what marks something of a departure from earlier suggestions,…
After an extended and sometimes contentious debate, City Council members approved more than $14.3 million in fresh FY2013 budget appropriations Tuesday by a 6-1 vote. Mayor Lee Leffingwell provided the only dissent. In all, 10 programs will benefit from…
The Board of Adjustment extended its benevolence to a small Montopolis property last night. The board ultimately granted a variance which will allow the property owner to place two small cottages on the lot – located at 1204 Valdez…
The division of the state Public Utility Commission charged with representing residential customer interests in utility rate cases delivered more than 200 pages of scathing written testimony Friday in the pending Austin Energy rate case. In it, three experts…
Though its been years in the making, the Environmental Board has asked for a little more time to consider changes proposed at Barton Springs Pool. The renovations require variances from the Save Our Springs Ordinance, and last week the board…
Austin Council members are set to make some hard decisions about what to do with a $14.3 million 2012 budget surplus as part of tomorrow’s work session. Staff has identified $12.3 million in one-time funding needs and another $3.5 million…
