Austin, Monitored: Barton Springs plan backlash, ever-rising gas rates and a call to ban license plate readers
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by Austin Monitor
Quote of the Day
“Since the summer season is upon us and we prefer to provide residents with advanced notice on such changes, the City will not be implementing changes to pool hours at this time. However, as we prepare for next year’s budget, we must also prepare for tougher conversations across all department services.”
— City of Austin Communication Director Jessica King, from A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began.
Austin gas rates are up and they’re set to go higher. Here’s why.
From Mose Buchele, KUT News:
When people see a sharp increase in their bills, they often take a closer look. In the case of gas bills, there is a lot to look at. Each one comes with a list of different fees and charges that add up to your monthly payment.
Since the rate hike went into effect, Austinites are noticing how some of those line items have jumped in cost.
One charge that was up significantly this winter is the “cost of gas” charge. That’s because natural gas commodity prices were higher this year than last, and those costs are passed through directly to the ratepayer. Another big driver in the current higher bills is something listed as a “delivery charge.” This seems to be a kind of a catchall for a lot of different things.
A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began.
From Lina Fisher:
Over Memorial Day weekend, Barton Springs swimmers noticed a new sign that had quietly been posted by the City bearing some bad news for free night swimmers: Beginning June 1, the pool will close completely at 9pm.
The resulting uproar quickly reached City Council offices. Council Member Ryan Alter had already sprung into action as of Tuesday evening.
A message from your Austin Monitor team:
Check out our newsletter archive
The latest news briefs, roundups and stories can also be found on our website each day.
Read more at austinmonitor.com/newsletter
Siegel asks for an end to license-reader program
Following an audit of the Austin Police Department’s tentatively-restored license plate reader program, Council Member Mike Siegel is asking for it to once again come to an end this Thursday. In a post on the City Council Message Board, Siegel says the current contract with Flock for the service “does not protect Austin residents from mass surveillance.” He continues, “The City-Flock contract allows Flock to use our ALPR data, feed the data into its AI systems, and share the data with outside agencies. Nothing prevents the City from giving our data to ICE or the Texas AG every seven days… We learned that APD mistakenly told Council on March 25 that it had not received any outside data-sharing requests, when in fact APD has complied with at least eight requests so far, including three during the period covered by APD’s internal audit (which had reported zero requests).” Siegel further expresses concern that Flock is a “bad actor” that gives ICE “side door access” according to recent news reports. “Long story short, there are tremendous potential negative impacts that arise from allowing our City to continue to collaborate with surveillance companies that are actively working with the federal administration to surveil Americans, capture immigrant workers and families, and retaliate against protected First Amendment activities,” he writes. “I ask that you join me in ending the ALPR program next Thursday.” Council implemented the license plate reader program in September 2022 and voted to extend the pilot in June 2023 and March 2025. On June 5, Council will consider extending the pilot program once again. If the extension isn’t approved, it will end on June 21, 2025.
Ethics commission to hear complaints against Harper-Madison, Siegel
On the agenda of the city’s Ethics Review Commission, scheduled to meet at City Hall tonight, are two complaints against members of the Council. First, commissioners will consider a complaint filed against Council Member Mike Siegel alleging that Siegel violated city campaign finance regulations during the 2024 campaign.This represents a final hearing on the matter.
The commission will then hold a preliminary hearing on a complaint filed by Tiffany Washington against Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison related to Harper-Madison’s writing on social media. Washington alleges that the District 1 Council Member used an official social media account to engage in personal attacks against Washington, among others. Commissioners must decide whether to hold a final hearing on the matter at a future meeting. This is not the typical complaint that commissioners hear but should be interesting.
— Jo Clifton
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
City leaders have responded to a series of incidents where vandals have defaced three mosques with the Star of David.
Even though we had a good bit of rainfall Monday night, historic water level lows spurred the Edwards Aquifer Authority to declare Stage 5 restrictions last week – the highest level of restrictions they can impose.
In other water news, the Texas Tribune reports that state legislators are set to approve $20 billion for water infrastructure projects in an attempt to protect its fragile water supply. That may seem like a lot of money, but some worry it isn’t nearly enough.
The Texas Observer’s founding editor, Ronnie Dugger, has died at the age of 95. Here’s their tribute to the “crusading conscience of the progressive movement in Texas and beyond.”
And, just in time for summer road trips, Texas Monthly has released this year’s BBQ rankings. Two Austin spots (InterStellar BBQ and LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue) made the top ten.
This newsletter has been corrected to reflect the fact that Barton Springs Pool is in District 8, not 5.
Austin Monitor | Make a Donation | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Copyright © 2022 Austin Monitor, All rights reserved.
You're a community leader
And we’re honored you look to us for serious, in-depth news. You know a strong community needs local and dedicated watchdog reporting. We’re here for you and that won’t change. Now will you take the powerful next step and support our nonprofit news organization?
