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Elections
Council OKs $1 billion transportation bond measure
The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $600 million bond proposition Thursday on the Nov. 4 ballot to help fund a rail initiative, while promising to put an additional $400 million into roadway improvements through other means, probably certificates of obligation…
Development • By Natalie Krebs • Aug 8, 2014
Council settles officer-involved shooting case for $1.25 million
The Austin City Council opted Thursday to pay $1.25 million to settle a claim related to an officer-involved shooting that took place last summer. Mayor Lee Leffingwell cast the only dissenting vote in the 6-1 decision. The claim alleged that former Austin Police…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 8, 2014
Austin for All coalition brings organization, candidates together
There is a brand-new coalition in Austin to go with our brand-new city government. The group, Austin for All, is a coalition that has formed in order to show “united support for policies that will improve our city.” Members described…
Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2014
Adler has a good day, but falls short of getting endorsement
Editor Jo Clifton contributed to this report. Although he did not win their endorsement, mayoral candidate Steve Adler had a good day at the Austin Environmental Democrats meeting Wednesday, coming away with 47.5 percent of the vote. His closest rival,…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014
Environmental Democrats hear Riley, Tovo, but make no endorsement
In front of Wednesday’s standing-room only crowd at the Austin Environmental Democrats forum, micro houses– so-called “granny flats” – proved a defining issue between Council members and District 9 candidates Kathie Tovo and Chris Riley. However, neither of them was…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014
Structural review calls Travis County dysfunctional, recommends changes
The Travis County governmental structure is dysfunctional and needs to reorganize under one main administrator, according to a report by an independent consultant group hired to assess the county’s internal administrative system. However, some county officials, while not surprised by…
Local Government • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 7, 2014
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Council resolution would move city closer to allowing very small units
The City of Austin may soon designate a clear path within its Land Development Code for residents to legally construct and dwell in very small houses pending approval of a resolution to be voted on at today’s regular Austin City Council meeting.…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 7, 2014
Homestead exemption could leave $36 million budget hole to fill
A homestead tax exemption as a percentage of appraised value on homeowners could potentially blow a $36 million hole in the next city budget, though it would also put close to $200 back in most taxpayers’ pockets, according to a…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 6, 2014
Austin Energy pitches Council to restore its cash reserves
Austin Energy officials pressed Austin City Council members Tuesday to allow the utility to reconfigure its cash holdings to allow it to fill a series of neglected reserve funds. The move, according to utility representatives, would better position the utility…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Aug 6, 2014
Austin Energy looks to get under affordability cap
Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis told the Austin Monitor Tuesday that he and utility staff are working on a proposal that would keep the utility’s FY2015 budget revenue request under a 2 percent affordability cap on potential rate increases.…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Aug 6, 2014
Adler files for mayor, cites proposal for homestead tax exemption
Attorney Steve Adler announced a proposal for a sweeping change in the city’s property tax system Monday as he filed the documents necessary to get a place on the ballot for the mayoral election in November. Standing before a small…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Aug 5, 2014
Energy, water utility rates top Council concerns over 2015 budget
The Austin City Council took on next year’s budget in earnest Thursday. Of the $3.5 billion budget, members’ biggest concerns continued to rest with the city’s water and energy utilities. A proposal from Austin Energy to increase the fuel charge…