Austin could offer curbside compost pickup citywide
Austin | The city will expand its curbside compost-collection program citywide if Austin City Council approves a proposed increase in municipal waste-collection fees by $1.
Council heard public testimony Aug. 18 regarding a proposed Austin Resource Recovery rate increase in the fiscal year 2016-17 proposed budget. The base charge for both residential and commercial customers is proposed to increase from $13.05 per month in FY 2015-16 to $14.05 per month in FY 2016-17. According to city documents, the increased fees will be used to fund existing services in addition to expanding curbside compost collection. Council is expected to adopt the budget in September.
Compost advocates garnered 18,000 petition signatures in favor of extending the service to Austin residents. If approved the program would be implemented over a four-year period. Curbside compost pickup began as a pilot program with limited geographical reach in 2013.
Austin city manager stepping down Oct. 30
Austin | City Manager Marc Ott is resigning effective Oct. 30, according to an Aug. 12 news release.
Ott, who was hired in January 2008, has accepted the executive director position at the International City/County Managers Association in Washington, D.C.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” he said. “I’ve dedicated myself to the residents and employees of Austin for almost nine years, but this is a unique opportunity. ... My experience here in Austin has prepared me well for this new challenge.”
Mayor Steve Adler thanked Ott for his years of service.
“Under his management, Austin has grown into one of the most vibrant and successful cities in the world,” he said. “That’s huge, and he deserves a lot of credit.”
Grant program offers aid in buying homes
Travis County | Some low-income homebuyers may qualify for NeighborhoodLIFT, a program that will offer grants to help residents buy homes in Travis, Bastrop and Hays counties, Travis County commissioners announced Aug. 16.
“Affordability continues to be one of our fastest-growing concerns for our citizens, and we welcome the efforts … of the private sector and nonprofit organizations that are doing the same,” Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez said.
NeighborhoodLIFT is a collaboration among Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, Neighborhood Works America, and Business and Community Lenders of Texas. Through the program, potential homeowners can sign up to find out if they prequalify for a mortgage and are eligible to receive assistance, she said.
LIFT programs can offer down-payment assistance for qualified buyers as well as education to help buyers prepare for homeownership and events to showcase homes on the market.
Potential applicants can attend the launch event scheduled for Aug. 26-27 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd., Austin. Registration and information is available at www.neighborhoodlift.com.
Proposed budget includes pay raises
Williamson County | Commissioners met Aug. 17 to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2016-17 budget of $283.3 million after adding more than $791,295 to the general fund.
At the Aug. 16 Commissioners Court meeting, the court approved a 4 percent pay increase for noncommissioned officers and a 5 percent increase to commissioned officers and bailiffs. This would add $400,000 to the budget.
On Aug. 17 an additional $391,295 was added to the general fund, bringing the new proposed general fund budget to almost $172.9 million. About $8.8 million is set aside for capital projects.
Other changes to the general fund included removing $10,000 to pay for the membership to the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council and adding $150,000 to analyze and install security and camera systems in the county’s justice center.
Commissioners will officially adopt the FY 2016-17 budget Aug. 30.
Also during their Aug. 16 meeting, commissioners proposed a maximum property tax rate of $0.481529 per $100 of property valuation. Commissioners will adopt the tax rate Sept. 13 and are hosting public hearings Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.
