News from Austin, Sunset Valley and Travis County
New tax rates approved, to take effect Oct. 1
In September, five of Austin's taxing authorities approved their fiscal year 2013–14 budgets and tax rates.
The biggest change is that this is the first year a voter-approved increase of more than 5 cents to the tax rate of Central Health goes into effect. The city of Austin, Austin Community College and Travis County lowered their tax rates for fiscal year 2013–14, and Austin ISD held its rate flat from fiscal year 2012–13. Although the tax rates take effect Oct. 1, residents will see the rates in tax bills in late October.
County looks for cost savings for courthouse
In order to research ways to bring down the cost of its proposed civil and family courthouse, Travis County Commissioners Court asked staff to research other courthouses in Texas and other states.
In July, the court approved building the courthouse using a design-build format, in which both design and construction responsibilities are handled by either one entity or under one contract.
In its feasibility study, consultants Ernst and Young estimated that the courthouse may cost $284 million to build. That number that does not include "soft costs" such as parking. The estimate rises to $312.86 million when operating costs are added.
County Judge Samuel Biscoe asked for information to be able to make an "apples-to-apples comparison" between the county's project and others, such as a courthouse in Charlotte, N.C., that was built for $156 million in 2007.
Resident Bill Oakey called on the county to make the courthouse project a model for cost effectiveness and efficiency.
He also recommended the county focus on the experience of future visitors. The court took note of Oakey's recommendations.
Council OKs budget, funds water rate study
City leaders approved the 2013–14 budget on Sept. 17.
Sunset Valley expects to take in $4.6 million in revenue and spend $3.6 million from its general fund. The budget also includes a 4 percent increase to water and wastewater rates based on projected city of Austin increases.
In a separate motion, the City Council approved raising the monthly residential base water charge from $8.40 to $13.40 in order to fund a $15,000 study of the city's water rate structure.
Renewing street tax on November ballot
This November, voters will consider whether to reauthorize the street tax—for four more years.
The street tax is a sales tax on 1/4 of 1 percent of purchases in the city. The tax funds major road projects, such as the work on Pillow Road, City Administrator Clay Collins said.
In the fiscal year 2013–14 budget, the tax is expected to generate $728,248 for street repair and replacement.
In related news, three City Council members—Councilmen Forrest Arnold and Jeff Burdett and Mayor Pro Tem Rudi Rosengarten—are running unopposed to retain their seats. Meet the Candidates Night takes place Oct. 15.
City mulling variance for Garza ranch work
A tract of land at 3721 Ben Garza Lane—an area that has been in dispute for several years—may be seeing future development after Austin City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Aug. 22 for variances on the land.
Councilwomen Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison voted against the Garza ranch variance. The council will revisit the issue Sept. 26.
Councilman Bill Spelman said he supported the changes in the Save Our Springs ordinance because he believed the city would gain better water quality from the change.
The 34.6-acre piece of land is expected to include mixed-use development and parking if the variance is ultimately approved. The owner asked for a variance in the ordinance to grant about 48 percent impervious cover for the land, or about 16.7 acres.
About half of the land is subject to the Save Our Springs ordinance that limits development to 15 percent impervious cover. Under current code and through court settlements, the owner is entitled to 11.2 acres of impervious cover.
Impervious cover is material such as concrete that does not allow water to permeate into the ground. The SOS ordinance establishes restrictions in the Barton Springs Zone, including protection of Barton and other creeks in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.
