Council adopts $3.7 billion budget; tax rate set
Austin | After weeks of discussion, City Council voted to pass a $3.7 billion fiscal year 2016-17 budget Sept. 14.
City Council also approved a tax rate of $0.4418 per $100 valuation, a reduction from last year’s $0.4589 per $100 valuation. An Austin homeowner who is not eligible for senior citizen property tax relief and owns a $278,741 home—the city’s median home value—would face a city tax bill increase from $1,087 in FY 2015-16 to $1,133 in FY 2016-17, an increase of $46, according to a city news release.
The budget passed 8-2-1, with District 6 Council Member Don Zimmerman and District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo opposing. District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair was absent.
The tax rate passed 7-2-2, with Gallo and Zimmerman opposing, District 1 Council Member Ora Houston abstaining and Troxclair absent.
Mayor Steve Adler said the budget was a “really strong balance of affordability issues and providing for quality of life in our city.”
Troxclair, who is on maternity leave, said in a statement she would not support the budget and called it “unaffordable.”
Elaine Hart[/caption]
Interim city manager to begin role Oct. 30
Austin | City Council approved Sept. 8 appointing city Chief Financial Officer Elaine Hart as interim city manager. She will assume the role starting Oct. 30 when City Manager Marc Ott’s resignation takes effect. Ott accepted a position in Washington, D.C.
“Elaine was our choice for many reasons, including that she brings an enterprise-wide view and broad experience with all our city departments and operations,” Mayor Steve Adler said.
Austin Energy rate changes begin Jan. 1 Austin | City customers with average electricity usage will see a decrease in their annual bill, according to new Austin Energy rates adopted Aug. 29. The new rates take effect Jan. 1. Austin City Council approved restructuring the rates and fees for Austin Energy, the city-owned utility provider. Customers can expect to save between $4.12 and $69.30 per year depending on their usage. Austin Energy is reducing its revenue by $42.5 million to alter its rate structure. In order to make up for the revenue decrease, Austin Energy will have to cut from operating and/or capital expenditures.
Judge plans to fill commissioner seat Williamson County | County Judge Dan Gattis will start looking to fill the seat of Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Morrison, who died Sept. 7. The person would serve until November 2018, when the seat is up for election. “I will be looking very earnestly for someone who could fill that [position] and do a great job but not someone who is looking to run for that position,” Gattis said Sept. 13.
City & County highlights • Travis County Commissioners Court voted Sept. 13 to issue a request for proposals to develop a 77,215-square-foot property at 308 Guadalupe St., Austin. The RFP will solicit offers aimed at maximizing the value of the county-owned property, and responses are due by Nov. 9. The site was considered as a potential location to expand civil and family courts capacity as part of a failed bond in November. • Travis County commissioners heard Sept. 6 an update on the mixed-use North Campus Development Project at 5325-5335 Airport Blvd., Austin. Plans include about 150 housing units, a 350-car parking garage and office space. Residents would have to meet certain low-income requirements. The developer would like to begin construction in 2018. • Austin City Council approved Sept. 1 a program to provide tenant notification and relocation assistance for certain development projects that displace apartment and mobile-home dwellers. Developers must notify apartment tenants 120 days prior and mobile-home dwellers 270 days prior to submitting an application for a building or demolition permit. • Williamson County commissioners approved Aug. 30 a $302 million budget for fiscal year 2016-17. The $179.8 million general fund includes $8.8 million in capital projects, $7.7 million for capital improvements, $581,000 in pay raises for corrections officers, and $29 million for the road and bridge fund that sets aside $2 million for a transportation plan and neighborhood rehabilitation.
