Austin

Apartment complexes to receive energy rebates

The Austin City Council authorized Austin Energy rebates for energy-efficiency improvements to apartment complexes in Southwest Austin Feb. 2.

The complexes include Monterey Ranch, 4701 Staggerbrush Road and the Marquis at Barton Creek apartments, 2716 Barton Creek Boulevard.

Between the two complexes and a third in Central Austin, a total of 1,020 apartments will receive energy improvements. The rebate program is part of AE's comprehensive "Energy Resource Plan" designed to reduce peak demand, lessen local air pollution and assist customers in reducing electric consumption.

Committee to recommend faster timeline for bag ban

The City of Austin Environmental Board will recommend to Austin City Council that it adopt the single-use plastic bag ban drafted by city staff but with a more aggressive timeline and without an exemption for alcohol retailers.

The Environmental Board debated at its Feb. 15 meeting one proposed modification that would have moved forward the date of implementation to Nov. 1. As drafted, the ordinance requires that a full ban would begin March 1, 2014. The modification was changed to say that implementation of the ban should begin 12 months after the ordinance is adopted. City Council may vote on the ban in March.

New taxi peak hour and cleanup fees in effect

The Austin City Council approved two new taxi fees in February, including a $1 surcharge for nighttime passengers and a $100 taxi cleanup fee for passengers who dirty a taxi's interior.

The $1-per-passenger surcharge applies to cab rides between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. and is meant to be an incentive for independent contractors. Council previously considered a $2.50 flat fee for night riders, but the proposal received negative input from stakeholders. The $100 cleanup fee went into effect Feb. 9, while the new $1 surcharge took effect Feb. 13.

Travis County

Travis County OKs FM 1626 road improvement funds

On Jan. 17, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a pass-through funding agreement for FM 1626.

Pass-through funding means the county will pay for the project and be reimbursed for construction costs by the Texas Department of Transportation during the next two decades.

The project would widen and reconstruct 1.11 miles of FM 1626 from west of Brodie Lane to Manchaca Road. Travis County plans to cover $8.02 million of the $12.22 million estimated project cost.

The agreement included language that explains that the county may use bonds if it or TxDOT does not have sufficient funds to complete the project.

County previews 2013 budget numbers, guidelines

The Travis County Commissioners Court looked at some early numbers and guidelines for its 2013 budget. Leroy Nellis, acting Planning and Budget Office county executive, said Feb. 14 that the county expects the tax rate to increase by 2.86 percent, from 48.55 cents per $100 of property valuation to 49.94 cents per $100.

If adopted, the rate increase would amount to a $29.96 tax increase to the average property owner with a homestead valued at $215,820 after exemptions. He said that current economic forecasts are cautiously optimistic, predicting a slow and steady path out of the downturn.