Austin news — January 2012

One new service includes assisting Bastrop fire victims with filing disaster loss deductions at the Bastrop Tax Center.

The organization also announced a partnership with the City of Austin to increase savings bond purchases. The new initiative includes a challenge grant from the City to incentivize the purchase of savings bonds with tax refunds at the time of filing.

The Community Tax Center program provides free tax preparation services for families and individuals making up to $50,000 per year.

The service will be available until the April 17 income tax filing deadline at nine Central Texas locations.

The program seeks volunteers to act as client liaisons and translators, and to be trained toward IRS certification to prepare taxes. For more information, visit www.foundcom.org.

Officials prepare master plan for city's pool facilities

Austin City Manager Marc Ott will draft a comprehensive master plan for the city's public swimming pool facilities.

Austin City Council directed Ott to create the study, which will look at each facility's physical condition and historic significance, along with future needs based on population growth projections and possible funding sources. The process will include the participation of neighborhood associations and other interested stakeholders.

The city's facilities include 27 neighborhood pools, six wading pools, seven municipal pools, 10 splash pads and Barton Springs Pool.