Stories by Jo Clifton
Thursday, December 3, 2020 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Audit cites ethics violations by employee, supervisor
An investigation by the Office of the City Auditor has concluded that Alex Perez, a project coordinator at Austin Energy, violated city ethics regulations by making official decisions affecting a company owned by members of his family. In addition, auditors…
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Austin
New SAVES programs face uncertain funding
The city has started nine programs in nine months to help local Austin businesses survive the pandemic. On Thursday, City Council will consider final program guidelines for three more programs providing relief for child care providers, local music venues and…
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Housing
Hinojosa tries again for inclusionary zoning
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, is trying once again to repeal the state law that prevents Texas cities from using an affordable housing tool known as inclusionary zoning. Inclusionary zoning programs allow cities to require developers to provide housing for…
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Politics
Commission reprimands PAC that opposed Prop A
The city’s Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously last week to send a letter of reprimand to one of the political action committees that opposed Proposition A on the Nov. 3 ballot. Local Democratic consultant Mark Littlefield filed 12 separate complaints…
Friday, November 20, 2020 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Split commission rejects complaint against Garza
The ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza will not move forward to a final hearing after receiving the thumbs-up from just five members of the city’s Ethics Review Commission. A majority of the commission, or six members, was…
Thursday, November 19, 2020 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
City faces challenge in managing software licenses
The city does not have complete information on what software licenses it has or how much those licenses are costing, according to a report from the city auditor’s office. Auditors reported Wednesday that the city spent $7.4 million in Fiscal…
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Travis County
Commissioners take next step toward permanent telework
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with a scope of services for a consultant to advise them on a plan to have 75 percent of eligible employees to do their jobs by teleworking on a…
Friday, November 13, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Environment
Residents may be able to reject herbicide
City Council approved contracts on Thursday with Asplundh Tree Expert, Davey Tree Surgery and Wright Tree Service to manage vegetation around Austin Energy lines after Council Member Ann Kitchen added some direction to staff about a previously unknown aspect of…
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Jo Clifton
City Council
Renteria opposes East Austin location for court
Council Member Pio Renteria expressed dismay at Tuesday’s work session over the Downtown Austin Community Court’s planned relocation to East Austin. Renteria told his colleagues he had just found out about the proposal to lease 30,000 square feet of office space at…
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
After big win, Travillion ready for next four years
Although Travis County Commissioner-elect Jeff Travillion won reelection with nearly 76 percent of the vote, he doesn’t dwell on that, saying simply, “It is gratifying to be invited back.” Then he’s off, talking about his plans for the next four…
Monday, November 9, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
County Judge-elect Andy Brown eager to start new job
Travis County Judge-elect Andy Brown is getting ready to start his new job. The most likely date for his first day on the job is Nov. 17, since commissioners will be canvassing the vote this week. Democrat Brown, who will…
Friday, November 6, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Ann Howard getting ready for new job
Ann Howard, Travis County Commissioner-elect for Precinct 3, was getting to work Thursday, learning more about the job she will officially begin in January. Howard said commissioners will canvass the vote from Tuesday’s election in the next week to 10…
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Fuentes coasts to victory in District 2
Political newcomer Vanessa Fuentes was headed toward a victory in the District 2 race Tuesday night after the early vote was counted, showing her with more than 56 percent of the vote. Her two competitors, David Chincanchan and Casey Ramos,…
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Casar headed toward easy victory
Council Member Greg Casar was headed toward an easy reelection victory Tuesday night after winning two-thirds of the early vote. Casar, who has held the District 4 seat since 2015, faced two opponents who had little money and messages that…
Friday, October 30, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Parks
Council OKs purchase of Wood Street parkland
After a lengthy discussion about the rules regulating acquisition of city parkland, Council voted 7-2-2 on Thursday to purchase 0.214 acres of downtown property at 702 Wood St. Council members Jimmy Flannigan and Pio Renteria voted no, and Council Member…
Thursday, October 29, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Land Development Code
Water-saving code amendments coming
Years after the city’s Water Forward Committee recommended changes to require on-site water reuse systems for commercial development, an item to put the matter into city regulations appears headed for a City Council agenda in December. Austin Water Assistant Director…
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Elections
In the home stretch, candidates report on fundraising
With only one week to go until Election Day, candidates for City Council were busy Monday filing their eight-day reports. Some candidates are looking at Nov. 3 as the end of the campaign trail, while others have to consider the possibility…
Monday, October 26, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Courts
Utility puts off settling lawsuit amid uproar
After hearing complaints from environmentalists and residents of Hamilton Pool Road at their meeting Thursday, the board of directors of the West Travis County Public Utility Agency decided to postpone a formal settlement of a lawsuit filed against the board…
Thursday, October 22, 2020 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Audit and Finance considers Code Department’s present, with an eye toward the future
When City Council members voted to reduce the Austin Police Department budget, they promised to reassign some duties police have previously handled, but it was not clear which departments would take up those burdens. However, at least some Council members were…
