City and County Update

Big decisions made in 2013

  • Lowering the property tax rate In September, Austin City Council approved a budget and property tax rate for fiscal year 2013–14. Members were able to lower the tax rate from the previous fiscal year by 0.02 cents to 50.27 cents per $100 of valuation. The total approved budget is about $3.3 billion.
  • Affordable housing Austin residents were asked in November to again cast their vote on an affordable housing bond of about $65 million. Voters approved the measure with 60.38 percent voting in favor of the bond. The funding may support rental housing development, home ownership and home repair programs.
  • Austin Energy governance The question of how Austin Energy, the city's electric utility, should be governed was resolved in May when council members decided to leave the governance with City Council rather than an independent board. Council also approved the creation of a council subcommittee to give oversight and policy recommendations on Austin Energy.

Top issues for 2014

  • Innovation District The promise of a new medical school and teaching hospital sparked development ideas around a potential Innovation District. The Innovation District Advisory Group will be meeting throughout the year in order to put plans in place to support this development.
  • Urban rail As many city and community members look to address Austin's growth and increasing congestion, Project Connect's initial urban rail corridor recommendation was approved by City Council in 2013. The final route could be presented to the City Council in June, and a possible bond election to gather funds for the initiative could come in November.
  • Single-member districts The city will see a fundamental change in its governance structure after the expanded council created from single-member districts is elected into office. This is the first time council members will be elected from districts, and many of the council members will be new. The district boundaries were created in December.

Meetings

Austin City Council meets most Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., 512-947-2497, www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council

Terms and compensation

The mayor and council serve two, four-year terms. Compensation is $66,955 for most council members and $78,853 for the mayor. In November the council will expand to include 10 members plus the mayor.

TV coverage

Meetings are televised live on cable Channel 6 and streamed online at www.austintexas.gov/department/channel-6.