Stories by Austin Monitor
Higher property values, extra $1 million from AE could lower tax rate
The Austin City Council heard better-than-expected budget numbers at a briefing this morning, allowing the city to roll back the proposed tax rate by almost a penny and promising some relief for city employees worried about being placed on furlough…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 19, 2009
Analysis shows zoning time changes might not shorten Council meetings
Anyone who regularly attends City Council meetings knows that, fairly often, zoning hearings can drag on into the evening, and sometimes past midnight. There are a number of variables that can keep Council members past their bedtime, including staff briefings,…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 19, 2009
Cole backs keeping longevity pay for employees in budget
Council Member Sheryl Cole said Monday she believes the city can afford and should pay employees the longevity pay the city’s management team has proposed to cut in an effort to help balance the upcoming budget. City Manager Marc…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 18, 2009
Leffingwell, Martinez propose changes to quicken Council meetings
Not quite two months into their new terms – and multiple Council hearings with 50+ hearings behind them —Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez have proposed new rules to improve the pacing of Council meetings. The most…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 18, 2009
Some want more commitment from city, private funds for Waterloo Park
Waterloo Park dominated discussion at last night’s Waller Creek Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, and not always in the most positive of ways. The Waller Creek Citizens Advisory Committee is at the intersection of several major city efforts. Waller Creek is…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 14, 2009
Drought, low lake levels, drive city need for greater conservation
Austin counted its 54th day in a row of temperatures at or above 100 degrees on Thursday. It’s hot and dry, but you’re going to have to ask for a glass of water in restaurants in order to get one…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 14, 2009
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City reports slightly smaller sales tax drop
There’s good news and there’s bad news. The good news is that the city is reporting a sales tax payment of $13.5 million this month compared to $14.5 million for the same month last year, a decrease of 6.8…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 13, 2009
Austin to adopt tougher water use measures
Following news of tougher mandatory water restrictions from the Lower Colorado River Authority, the City of Austin plans to ramp up its own water restrictions as of August 24. Austin will move from Stage 1 to Stage 2 water restrictions…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 13, 2009
Capital Metro studies fare hikes, scrapping Dillo service
Citing budgetary constraints, the Capital Metro Board of Directors began taking public input Monday on a series of fare increases across the entire transit system. The board also heard from staff and citizens regarding the possible elimination or suspension of…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 11, 2009
New intelligence ‘fusion center’ fuels privacy concerns
City Council heard an earful from residents and privacy rights advocates over a proposed “fusion center” which would use federal money to gather and share information about citizens with the aim of crime prevention. Although Council ended up voting unanimously…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 7, 2009
Council OKs contracts for Water Treatment Plant 4
In their first major test as a group, and Lee Leffingwell’s first test as their leader, the Austin City Council voted 6-1 late last night to award the construction manager at risk contract for preconstruction services for Water Treatment Plant…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 7, 2009
Water Treatment Plant 4: one more argument today
On what City Council members once thought was a settled issue, players are lining up once again to joust over the city’s planned Water Treatment Plant 4. With a current price tag of some $508 million—or maybe more—the construction of…
