Austin City CouncilBig decisions made in 2016



  • Passing the $720 million mobility bond: It was the biggest bond package ever passed by city of Austin voters, and according to Mayor Steve Adler, a 60 percent “yes” vote from the citizenry was “an important statement for the community to make. It shows us taking concrete steps to deal with challenges we have in a meaningful way.”

  • Austin Energy rate case settlement: Although the deal to reduce the base electric rate saw Austin Energy decrease its revenue by $42.5 million, nearly all utility customers, from residents to large businesses, will save on energy costs.

  • Increased homestead, senior and disabled tax exemptions: As a way to incentivize homeownership in Austin, City Council increased the homestead tax exemption from 6 percent to 8 percent and increased the tax exemptions for the senior and disabled communities.





Top issues for 2017



  • Hiring a city manager: Adler said the search for the city’s new chief executive officer will be among the top priorities of 2017. The selection of a search firm is expected at the Jan. 26 council meeting, which will be the first major step in hiring a permanent city manager.

  • Achieving greater affordability: In 2017 the city will focus on reaching greater levels of affordability through initiatives such as developing CodeNEXT, the city’s land development code rewrite; implementing the expedited permitting program; approving a final Housing Master Plan; driving mixed-income development; revising the city’s economic incentive policy; and implementing the Music and Creative Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution.

  • Execution of the mobility bond: The city will begin hiring engineers and consultants to draw up the blueprints of the mobility projects.





A question for Steve Adler, mayor


Q: Other than turnover, what will be the biggest substantial change within City Council?

A: My hope is that we’ll focus on big things because the times call for us to focus on the major challenges we have, like affordability, like really preserving Austin’s spirit and soul while we grow and expand dramatically. Last year, to a degree, we were acclimating to a new 10-1 system and figuring out how to drive this new car that the citizens purchased for themselves. I think with nine of 11 council members coming back, we have a group that is hitting the ground running.

Read more about the top three priorities in 2017 for the four Northwest Austin council members here.