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.

Permanent commission on seniors

Austin is a popular city with a steady growth in population from many different demographic groups, including seniors. To help meet the needs of this population, the Task Force on Aging was formed in 2012, and the group made a recommendation to establish a permanent commission on seniors. The commission was established in September 2013.

Top issues for 2014

Innovation zone

The promise of a new medical school and teaching hospital sparked development ideas around a potential Innovation Zone. The Innovation Zone 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 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 City 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 November.

Continued affordability

Even with the passage of a new affordable housing bond in 2013, keeping the city an affordable place for residents to live remains a priority. Some possible ways the council could address this reoccurring issue include funding changes and policy changes such as homestead exemptions.

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 may 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.