City officials are continuing their work even as many Austin residents flee the heat and retreat to vacation homes. Here's the scoop on what's happening in Austin this week:
- District trustees expected to call for November bond election
Since the approval of the Austin ISD updated Facility Master Plan in early April, the district's administration, facility consultants and Facilities and Bond Planning Advisory Committee have been working to develop a bond package that addresses some of the most urgent facility needs in the district. Two weeks were held last week for trustees to review and dissect the draft bond package, which currently carries a price tag of $989.3 million. On Monday, June 19, the board is scheduled to vote on whether or not to call for a November bond election.
- City facing fire department staffing, budget crisis
In this sneak peak story from our June print edition, reporter Christopher Neely details the budget and staffing dilemma plaguing the Austin Fire Department. An unusually high number of unfilled positions, coupled with overtime pay expenses, is forcing the department to evaluate a variety of options to mitigate the crisis.
- Changes made to Oak Hill Parkway project
Staff members from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation relayed a handful of study and design updates to the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods last week regarding Oak Hill Parkway, the large-scale transportation project which aims to improve mobility at the intersection of Hwys. 290 and 71. An environmental analysis of two build alternatives, as well as a no-build alternative, is underway and scheduled for completion this fall.
