Photo by Jennifer Curington

Five Austin mayoral candidates addressed top campaign issues during a forum held August 18 at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin.

Five Austin mayoral candidates discussed affordability, changes to the city code and transportation options at an Aug. 18 mayoral forum.

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Real Estate Council of Austin hosted the event, which provided candidates an opportunity to address top campaign issues and ask questions of their peers.

In response to one question about top fiscal priorities, current council members Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole both emphasized the need to keep the city's tax rate at or below its existing level to help ensure affordability.

However, attorney Steve Adler reminded the audience that even though tax rates have remained steady in the past few years, the amount of taxes residents pay has gone up. He said the city should instead focus the affordability argument on changing the city's land development code through the ongoing CodeNEXT process.

Candidates Todd Phelps and Randall Stephens had their own ideas. Phelps was among multiple candidates to propose a general homestead exemption that would potentially decrease residential property tax bills, and Stephens argued for the need to increase Austin's sales tax base by enabling more business along the periphery of the city limits.

Every candidate at the forum except Phelps expressed support for the $600 million transportation bond on November's ballot. Phelps said he is skeptical about the bond, and he is instead making a plea for an expanded I-35.

Once candidates turned the questions to each other, all five inquiries were directed either to Martinez or Adler.

Adler asked Martinez why he has continuously targeted his campaign for being successful in gaining supporters he said Martinez once courted during his two bids for Austin City Council.

"The most important question is who has the most proven and tested leadership to lead that new council," Martinez said during his final statement. "I won't make lofty promises that I can't keep or that I can't explain to you how we're going to raise your taxes."

Adler said he is confident he will win because of the support he has gained thus far on the campaign trail.

"This is a critical election for the city of Austin. Austin is at a crossroads; we're at a tipping point in this city," Adler said. "If we start with the government on Jan. 1 just the way that we finished on Dec. 15, then shame on us because we have the potential to do something very new. We need to actually reinvent government—make it more thoughtful."

The deadline to file as a mayoral candidate is 5 p.m. Aug. 18. Early voting begins Oct. 20, and Election Day is Nov. 4.