City Hall

Ethics commission shelves lobbying complaint against Austin Pets Alive! employee

The Ethics Review Commission has opted not to move forward with a lobbying complaint against a member of the city’s Animal Advisory Commission who also works in a governmental affairs job for Austin Pets Alive. Last week the ethics commission…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 3, 2022

Here's a breakdown of Travis County's budget for 2023

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $1.52 billion budget for 2023 Tuesday that reduces the average homeowner’s property taxes by about $18 a year, and adds funding for gun violence prevention programs, higher wages for county employees and housing…

Budget • By Haya Panjwani, KUT • Sep 29, 2022

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 9.29.22

Unlike the past few meetings, today’s City Council meeting looks almost reasonable. For one thing, Council members aren’t scheduled to disappear into an executive session, which should free up some time. In this TipSheet, we’ve collected the things we’re betting…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 29, 2022

Is Austin still weird?

“Is Austin becoming less like itself?” As four local politicians – Travis County Judge Andy Brown, County Attorney Delia Garza, Mayor Steve Adler and state Rep. Sheryl Cole – attempted to answer Austin American-Statesman reporter Ryan Autullo’s question at the Texas…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Sep 27, 2022

Featured Collection: Austin Energy 2022 rate case

Austin Energy ramps up outreach for proposed rate changes

Austin Energy has entered the public hearing phase of its base rate review process, following its proposal to raise service costs. The monthslong dialogue with stakeholders and city staff, slated for resolution by City Council in November, has surfaced predictable…

More Headlines for Austin Energy 2022 rate case

Esperanza's hiatus underscores city's lack of shelter options for homeless campers

The staff at the Camp Esperanza site in Southeast Austin that is currently under construction to provide permanent small homes to formerly homeless residents acknowledge they will likely continue to receive visits from people they are unable to help for…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 26, 2022

City seeks to extend $20 minimum wage to some contractors

Although increasing the minimum wage for city employees to $20 an hour was good news for city workers, the increase did not automatically apply to contract workers. The previous minimum for city employees was $15 per hour, which the city…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Sep 22, 2022

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Legislative agenda passes with Kelly opposed

City Council approved a lengthy legislative agenda Thursday night, with only Council Member Mackenzie Kelly voting no. Though she had proposed an additional task for the city’s legislative team just a few minutes earlier, Kelly voted against adopting the agenda.…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 20, 2022

Austin OKs an automated license plate reader program

Lee esta historia en español. City Council approved a revival of a police department program to use license plate scanners on police cruisers and at fixed points throughout the city. Council agreed Thursday on a one-year pilot program to reinstate…

City Council • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 19, 2022

Featured Data Point

Austin Police Department Budget, 2012-2022

During the 2020-21 budget process, City Council cut $31.5 million from APD’s budget, citing the protests and “community outcry against the disproportionate impact of police violence on Black Americans, Latinx Americans and other non-white ethnic communities,” according to the approved…

Amid rising housing costs, Austin increases (slightly) park fees charged to builders

Following a conversation that pitted the amount of parkland in Austin against housing affordability, City Council members on Thursday voted against doubling park fees charged to residential developers. Instead, they opted to raise these fees by 10 percent. The vote…

City Council • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Sep 16, 2022

Animal Advisory Commission dives into Robert's Rules

The Animal Advisory Commission grappled with process questions at its regular meeting on Monday. Item 5 on the commission’s agenda was intended to be an explanation of Robert’s Rules of Order by the parliamentarian. But since the parliamentarian was absent, Chair…

City Hall • By Nina Hernandez • Sep 16, 2022

Council to decide on police oversight ordinance

At the end of a packed agenda today, City Council will face a choice of adopting the Austin Police Oversight Act or calling a May 2023 election on the proposal. At Tuesday’s work session, Council Member Chito Vela and Mayor…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 15, 2022

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 9.15.22

Today City Council will convene for a regular meeting. As usual, we aim to give you an overview of the meeting, but those who want to dive into the details can check out the full agenda or tune in to…

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