Sections

About Us

 
Make a Donation
Local • Independent • Essential News
 

City Hall

Audit cites lack of progress on homelessness strategies issued five-plus years ago

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor has found the city is still working toward accomplishing five recommendations to address homelessness that were suggested at least five years ago. The report, which was issued earlier this month,…

Parks board recommends beefing up funding for city parks maintenance

With increasing challenges in maintaining grounds within Austin’s busy parks system, the Parks and Recreation Board voted Monday to recommend that City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department budget for the new fiscal year.…

Chamber group touts $1M small business loan program ahead of regional plan

Ahead of an in-progress comprehensive plan slated for completion later this year, Austin’s Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) has secured a commitment from two local banks to loan $1 million to member small businesses. The loans, which will be…

Council OKs 13 proposed charter amendments for November ballot

Voters will decide on 13 potential amendments to the city charter in November, with two of the most significant potential changes affecting the number of signatures needed to recall a City Council member, and requiring elections for citizen-led ballot initiatives…

Officials update Animal Advisory Commission on strategic plan process

City officials updated the Animal Advisory Commission last week on the strategic plan for the Animal Services Office as the city works to improve the relationship between the Austin Animal Center and key stakeholders, including the commission. Assistant City Manager…

Council votes to follow traditional process before calling a climate bond election

After one of the most robust deliberations City Council has had in recent history, a resolution on a comprehensive climate bond election moved forward Thursday, but without the immediacy that some Council members would have preferred. Nevertheless, those who favored…

Subscribe to our newsletter

Council seeks information on creating a public bank

City Council on Thursday approved a resolution by Council Member Zo Qadri directing the city manager to research the question of the city of Austin starting a “public bank.” Unlike commercial banks, public banks are required to operate in the…

Arts group blasts memo blocking city from purchasing historic church space

The nonprofit Austin Creative Alliance has pushed back against a memo from city staff that appears to have derailed an effort by City Council members to preserve a pair of East Austin properties that serve as the group’s headquarters and…

Off-leash dogs are everywhere in Austin. What are the rules?

There are few things that bring dog owners more joy than watching their furry friend run toward them with tongue out and ears flapping. But, for nonlovers of dogs or other pet owners, this might not be as joyful. For…

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 7.18.24

Though City Council members briefly reappeared to help unveil this year’s budget last week, they will have their first regular meeting this week after summer break. As one might expect, the agenda is somewhat overstuffed in an effort to make…

Arts Commission gives early OK for city aid to expand Umlauf museum

The Arts Commission wants City Council to give an initial endorsement to an ambitious plan to improve and expand the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which is managed in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. At Monday’s meeting,…

With an ambitious food plan ready for adoption, all that's missing is the financing

City Council members heard a briefing Tuesday on a far-reaching food plan designed to eliminate historical barriers to food access in Austin and Travis County. If all goes as planned, the draft proposal will return to City Council on Aug.…

Back to Top