Though real estate investor Nate Paul will not face prison time for charges of bank and wire fraud, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Celia Israel is seeking to add more than $2 million money Paul will be paying back in the near future. A press release from Israel explained that the Travis County Attorney filed suit Monday to collect delinquent taxes from eight businesses owned by Paul. The deliquent taxes that total just over $2 million and legal fees of more than $300,000 combine for a hefty 2024 bill from the county. “After each payment deadline, tax office employees spend months sending letters and making phone calls to Mr. Paul, and the delays and partial payments are no longer enough. He has not responded to our call for him to make payment in full or make arrangements to begin a payment plan to address this debt of over $2 million. Our local taxing units depend on property taxes to plan and build infrastructure like roads and bridges, pay our teachers and public employees and do the critical work of government,” reads the press release from Israel. “When I see taxpayers interacting with our office, I see those who are doing their very best to follow the law and play by the rules. I do not take this approach of a lawsuit lightly and hope that Mr. Paul, or one of his business representatives, will respond by paying the delinquent taxes. The Travis County taxpayers deserve a response.”

Austin has again secured a spot among Penske Truck Rental’s Top 10 Moving Destinations for all of 2024, highlighting the city’s enduring appeal despite evolving migration patterns. This marks the fifth consecutive year Austin has featured on Penske’s annual list, which is based on one-way truck rental data. While Austin remains a popular relocation choice, recent data indicates a moderation in its growth trajectory. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, net migration to the Austin metro area decreased between 2022 and 2023, with Travis, Williamson and Hays counties all experiencing slower population growth. Despite this slowdown, the city continues to draw newcomers, particularly from other parts of Texas and major out-of-state metropolitan areas. In 2022, top sources of inbound migration included cities like Killeen and Mission, underscoring Austin’s role as a regional hub. The broader Central Texas region, encompassing the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area, has seen significant demographic shifts over the past decade. As of 2020, the metro area’s population exceeded 2.2 million, reflecting its status as one of the fastest-growing large metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Austin residents have the opportunity to weigh in on the city’s financial priorities through a newly launched budget engagement survey. The survey follows the conclusion of a series of community budget conversations hosted throughout April by City Manager T.C. Broadnax. Those conversations were intended to gather public input ahead of the formal budget process. The effort comes as city leaders confront significant long-term financial challenges. According to the city’s recently released Five-Year Financial Forecast, Austin faces substantial annual projected General Fund budget gaps between fiscal years 2026 and 2030, assuming no changes to current revenue or spending policies. Personnel costs, especially public safety salaries, and inflationary pressures are cited as major drivers of the widening deficits. Additionally, limitations imposed by state law on property tax growth continue to constrain revenue options. The forecast also highlights broader pressures on enterprise departments and special funds, raising concerns about the sustainability of critical services if structural imbalances are not addressed. The new survey, available through early May, invites community members to share their views on service priorities, potential cost-saving measures, and ideas for improving city operations. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year is scheduled for release in July, with public hearings and City Council adoption expected later this summer.

Central Health will host a community conversation with Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard on May 7, offering updates on efforts to improve health care access and delivery for Travis County residents. The event, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McBeth Recreation Center, will include an overview of Central Health’s ongoing strategic plan initiatives. Topics will include the development of new clinics, expanded patient-centered care models, bridge services for patients transitioning between care settings, respite care programs, and new approaches aimed at improving overall quality of care. Food and parking will be provided. Residents requiring translation services in languages other than English, Spanish, or ASL are encouraged to contact Central Health’s Community Engagement Manager, Yesenia Ramos. A final event in the community conversation series is scheduled for June 5 in Travis County Precinct 1. Registration and event information is available online.

Austin-area job seekers interested in manufacturing careers will have the opportunity to meet with local employers at the 2025 Manufacturing Job Fair, scheduled for May 7. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s North Career Center, located at 9001 N. Interstate Highway 35, Suite 110. Organized by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the job fair is designed to match candidates with open positions in the region’s growing manufacturing sector, which spans industries from advanced technology to clean energy. Participation is free, and job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their résumés and dress professionally. Employers will be available on-site to conduct interviews and discuss hiring opportunities. The event comes as demand for skilled manufacturing workers continues to rise across the Austin area, driven in part by major infrastructure projects and expansions in sectors such as transportation and energy. City leaders have made workforce development a key priority, including expanded efforts to train workers for infrastructure-related careers through initiatives like the Austin Infrastructure Academy. Registration is available online.

This whisper has been changed to correct the date of the event, which will take place on May 7.

Artists and creatives in Austin are invited to apply to a new open call for Vibe Downtown, an annual event series launching this fall to celebrate the city’s creative energy. Applications are now open through May 5 for proposals to produce cultural experiences during Vibe Weekend, which is scheduled for September 19–20 on the historic 500 block of Old Sixth Street. Selected applicants will receive a $6,000 budget to create and present their projects at one of two event venues in downtown Austin. Proposals should align with the event’s goals of showcasing local art, music, and makers while activating underutilized public spaces. There is a one-time $25 application fee supporting the nonprofit initiative, with fee waivers available upon request. Organized by the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation in collaboration with Future Front Texas, Vibe Downtown seeks to strengthen Austin’s creative industries and increase downtown visitorship through community-led cultural programming. The event aims to bridge emerging economic gaps and respond to the need for greater cultural vibrancy downtown. The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation and Future Front Texas plan to build Vibe Downtown into an annual platform for creative expression, economic opportunity, and community connection. Interested applicants can find more information and apply at futurefronttexas.org or downtownaustin.com.

Parks and Recreation Board members Monday elected new board leadership, with Stephanie Bazan succeeding Pedro Villalobos as board chair and District 4 representative Kathryn Flowers returning to the vice chair position. Bazan, a District 5 resident, ran in a crowded field for City Council in 2022 and lost a runoff election to Council Member Ryan Alter. Once on the dais, Alter appointed Bazan to the parks board. In nominating Bazan for chair, Villalobos said she has demonstrated her dedication to service by doing her homework and asking good questions. Bazan said she will continue to advocate for equitable access to city parks as well as for funding the needs of the parks department. Villalobos will continue serving on the board as Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes’ appointee.

Nominations are open for the Austin Tree of the Year Awards. The annual contest recognizes extraordinary trees recognized by the community in five categories: Small Tree, Large Tree, Story Tree, Unique Tree and Schoolyard Tree. The program was revived in 2022 and, this year, is sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and TreeFolks. In addition to cluing the Austin area in to great local trees, the awards “aim to raise awareness about the valuable benefits of trees, such as carbon sequestration, air purification, and heat mitigation. By encouraging the public to nominate and vote for their favorite trees, TreeFolks seeks to educate people about these benefits in a fun and interactive way. The initiative fosters a deeper understanding of tree characteristics and promotes a heartfelt connection to the beauty of Austin’s natural environment,” according to a press release from the city. The nomination period will close on November 7, Texas Arbor Day and nominations can be made online at austintreeoftheyearawards.org.

Movability will host an event titled “Workforce Mobility Solutions for a Changing Austin” on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Indeed Tower. The event aims to bring together business leaders, policymakers, and transportation experts to discuss solutions around mobility issues tied to workforce management. Topics will include: transportation demand management, employer-led commuting initiatives and innovative approaches to easing congestion and improving the commuting experience. Movability supports employers and individuals in Central Texas with customized mobility solutions that reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. Through initiatives such as SchoolPool, which helps families organize carpools to school, and Mobility Camps that promote alternative commuting methods, the organization works to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and support economic vitality. Registration for the event is available online.

City leaders will join members from Mexic-Arte Museum, the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Association, and the Downtown Austin Alliance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 2, to celebrate the ongoing development of the Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of Fifth Street and Congress Avenue, in front of the Mexic-Arte Museum, with breakfast offered at 8 a.m. The ceremony will celebrate work to preserve the cultural contributions of Austin’s Mexican-American community along the corridor that runs from Republic Square to Plaza Saltillo. Mayor Kirk Watson, Council members José Velásquez and Zo Qadri, State Representative Lulu Flores, Consul General of Mexico Humberto Hernández Haddad, and members of the Saltillo sister city delegation are expected to attend. The ceremony will also kick off several Cinco de Mayo celebrations taking place over the weekend, including a free public event at Republic Square on May 3 and a luncheon on May 5 at the Thompson Hotel.

City Council is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the board of the Sobering Center Local Government Corporation. The selected applicant will serve the remainder of a term that runs through Dec. 31, 2026. The 11-member board oversees the Sobering Center, a joint initiative between the city and Travis County that provides short-term care for individuals under the influence of alcohol and connects them with treatment resources. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a resident of both the City of Austin and Travis County. Council is seeking individuals with expertise in medical, legal, behavioral health, public health, addiction, business, fundraising, or nonprofit and government financial management. Applications will remain open until the position is filled. Interested candidates should complete the city’s online Boards and Commissions application and submit a resume and statement of intent. Materials may also be emailed to Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Hall at stephanie.hall@austintexas.gov. Final candidates will be reviewed by the City Council’s Public Health Committee.

Parking at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is about to get more expensive. Starting May 1, rates at the Red Garage will raise from $5 to $7 per hour and $32 to $35 per day. Rates at the Blue Garage will raise from $23 to $26 per day. Rates at the Economy Parking Lot will remain as-is. According to a press release from the airport, “The changes reflect the airport’s response to increasing passenger traffic and rising demand for on-airport parking options. The new rates for the Blue and Red Garages are part of a strategic update to help manage capacity and generate funding to support ongoing airport improvements under the Journey With AUS expansion program…This update aligns AUS with other major U.S. airports that have adjusted parking to better serve growing passenger volumes and fund infrastructure upgrades, including the planned Yellow Garage, which is currently in the Build phase.”