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Climate change report prepared for Austin predicts weather extremes
The first indications of how climate change likely will affect Austin in the coming decades are beginning to emerge. A just-completed report by City of Austin staff sets out some sobering scenarios of potential future conditions. Extremes of heat, drought…
Resources • By Bill McCann • May 28, 2014
Austin Water Utility proposes ‘meaty’ cuts to balance FY2015 budget
A struggling Austin Water Utility moved forward with tough cuts at the latest meeting of the Joint Committee on AWU’s Financial Plan. Right now, AWU has several options on the table for next year’s budget. The utility’s latest proposal…
Resources • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 27, 2014
Austin Energy now backs full collection of line extension costs
Taking a cue from City Council members, Austin Energy has shifted its position and now supports recovering the full costs of extending power lines to new customers starting in October. Utility officials plan to take the new proposal to the…
Resources • By Bill McCann • May 21, 2014
Task force hears water options, some likely unpalatable
With lake levels dropping and no end in sight for the current drought, Austin Water Utility officials are putting some creative strategies on the table designed to add to and maximize the city’s water supplies. It seems likely that the…
Resources • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2014
Despite hurdles, Hays County, Forestar move ahead with water deal
Hays County Commissioners are moving forward with a massive water supply contract, despite not clearing a legal hurdle called for by the water reservation and purchase agreement. Last October, Hays County officials entered into a contract with Austin-based Forestar Real…
Local Government • By Andy Sevilla • May 16, 2014
Western Travis still Wild West of groundwater with no district in sight
A decades-old plan to put an unprotected area of western Travis County into a groundwater conservation district, or GCD, appears to have been killed with the stroke of a pen recently by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • May 13, 2014
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Mayor criticizes use of Austin Water funds to pay for general fund expenses
The Austin Water Utility came under scrutiny at last week’s budget session, as City Council members took a closer look at rate increases proposed by the utility. In fact, Mayor Lee Leffingwell called for “truth in budgeting,” telling AWU officials…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 12, 2014
Committee debates options for rate increase for water customers
Leaders at Austin Water Utility are pushing back on the recommendations of a committee tasked with finding alternatives to a water rate increase of more than 10 percent. The Joint Committee on Austin Water Utility’s Financial Plan met May…
Resources • By Kara Nuzback • May 9, 2014
Community group seeks organized assistance for flood victims
A community organization called the Travis Austin Recovery Group (TARG), formed in the aftermath of the historic 2013 Halloween floods, is noting the six-month anniversary of the event with the release of a Draft Recovery Plan for the people and…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • May 2, 2014
Facing financial losses, Austin Water considers 15.2 percent rate hike
With the Austin Water Utility projected to lose another $27 million this fiscal year, David Anders, the utility’s assistant director of finance and business services, said customers could potentially see a 15.2 percent rate hike in their water service bills…
Resources • By Gene Davis • May 1, 2014
Council members push plan for AE to recover cost of line extensions
A resolution from Council Members Kathie Tovo, Laura Morrison, and Mike Martinez on Thursday’s Council agenda would instruct City Manager Marc Ott to “plan for full cost recovery of (Austin Energy) line extensions” beginning Oct. 1. Though the Council…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Apr 30, 2014
Austin Energy to build $67 million office building in East Riverside area
Facing continued cramped quarters and a big-dollar lease, Austin Energy officials say they hope next week to take a major step toward construction of a new office building for the city’s electric utility. Austin Energy officials plan to ask…
