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Message from
Council Member Pool
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Dear friends,
Yesterday, Austin City Council unanimously passed a landmark budget that begins the journey of reimagining public safety and putting the community first. I am so proud of the work we’ve accomplished, and it’s because of your input and dedication to our city that these changes are possible.
I joined the Council in a unanimous decision to reallocate $21.5 million in immediate reinvestments from the police department to key areas of need: permanent supportive housing and services, EMS and its COVID-19 response, victim’s services, violence prevention, and workforce development, among other community resources. The new APD budget also increases the efficiency of our police department, begins to address long standing disparities, and puts the community first. As we undertake the work of reimagining public safety, and move toward responding to non-criminal emergencies with trained professionals in mental health care and social services, we can restore our sworn officers to their core mission.
Further information on the budget is provided in the City's press release and below in this newsletter.
This landmark budget includes initiatives that I led on: more funding for mental health first responders at EMS, jobs and housing for the homeless through the Workforce First program, quality child care care at City recreation centers, and more funding for women's reproductive health care.
I also worked closely with several colleagues on other critical budget items, including comprehensive budget enhancement for EMS, $6.5 million in permanent supportive housing, facilities improvements for recreation centers, the creation of an Office of Violence Prevention and an Office of Chief Medical Officer, increased funding for victims services, and more funding for trail maintenance and litter abatement.
The council’s approved changes to the budget are just the starting point for reimagining public safety and putting the community first. This reimagining work needs a sustained effort that will include things we can accomplish immediately, like the $21.5 million in reallocations, things that we can do in the medium term, like reviewing and reworking the training and recruiting curriculum, and things that will take more planning for the long term, like building strong relationships between the police and the community.
The council agreed that several functions within the APD budget could be “decoupled” from the department or “reimagined” to ensure more efficiency and accountability. Some of these functions under review include 9-1-1 dispatch, the forensics lab, special events, training, recruiting, traffic enforcement, mounted patrol, and others. While the $130 million in funding for these services will continue intact, the council and the community will have an opportunity to review and improve these functions over the coming weeks and months.
I will be hosting an upcoming opportunity for community engagement in a joint forum in late September with District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison. We’ll host a panel discussion with community members who have a variety of lived experiences and perspectives to talk about what reimagined public safety looks like. I’ll send more information out through this newsletter in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
I’d like to thank everyone who’s engaged with us, including the advocates who elevated voices in the community. I specifically want to thank the Austin EMS Association, The Other Ones Foundation (Workforce First), the Parks & Recreation Department, NARAL Pro-Choice Texas and the Lilith Fund, Austin Justice Coalition, Just Liberty, and Texas Appleseed, among countless other community partners.
I am honored to serve you at this historic moment and invite you to stay involved. We have work to do, so let’s get started.
Leslie
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Austin City Council Approves
Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget
New budget goes in effect October 1, 2020
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The Austin City Council has adopted a fiscal year 2020-2021 Budget.
The all-funds budget, which includes enterprise departments as well as the core services provided by the General Fund, totals $4.2 billion – the same size as last year’s – and adjusts to new fiscal constraints and community expectations, with focused investments in core programs and City infrastructure.
The General Fund budget is $1.1 billion and the Capital Budget includes $1.2 billion in planned spending.
Council moved to introduce changes to public safety in Austin, building on the initial steps set out in the City Manager’s proposed budget last month to reallocate Police funding to health, housing, and critical social services.
The adopted budget will:
- Reduce Austin Police Department (APD) funding by approximately $20 million – taken primarily from cadet classes and overtime – to reinvest in permanent supportive housing and services, EMS for COVID-19 response, family violence shelter and protection, violence prevention, workforce development, and a range of other programs.
- Move a number of APD functions (and related funding of nearly $80 million) out of APD over the course of the fiscal year. These include Forensics Sciences, Communications/911 call center, strategic support, and internal affairs.
- Create a Reimagine Safety Fund to divert almost $50 million from APD toward alternative forms of public safety and community support, to be delivered from outside APD, as determined through the year-long reimagining process.
Council approved a total APD budget of about $290 million - down from the $434 million earmarked in the proposed budget - and directed the City Manager to return to Council no later than March 2021 to amend the public safety budget following public engagement.
The approved budget ensures the City continues investing in key Council priorities and implementing the Council-approved COVID-19 spending framework to support Austin families and businesses, while remaining consistent with responsible budgeting practices that have enabled the City to mitigate the impacts of anticipated revenue losses caused by the pandemic.
“In just a few short weeks the City and Council have worked together to come up with solutions to the challenges we face as a community,” said City Manager Spencer Cronk. “This budget takes us forward as a city, but I’ve also been clear we'll have to come back and make adjustments, not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but because of our desire to truly reimagine public safety.”
The approved budget assumes a property tax rate of 53.35 cents per $100 of taxable value. That comprises a rate of 44.60 cents for City operations – an increase of 0.29 cents from the FY 2019-20 tax rate and a 3.5% increase above the no-new-revenue Operations and Maintenance rate – plus an additional 8.75 cents for the Project Connect transportation initiative, a citywide traffic-easing rapid transit system.
Council ordered a November 3 election to seek voter approval for the additional taxes to fund Project Connect. If voters accept the proposed tax rate of 53.35 cents in November the City tax bill for the typical homeowner - defined as the owner of a median-valued ($326,368) non-senior home - would be $1,741.17 per year or $145.10 per month. This would be an increase of $332.39 per year or $27.70 per month.
Under the adopted budget, typical rate payers will see their Austin Energy bills go down and their Austin Water bills frozen. Austin Resource Recovery charges will increase, by just over $31 per year, to pay for the citywide implementation of curbside organic materials collection.
Taken together, the combined impact of tax, rate and fee changes would represent an increase, for the typical ratepayer, of 7.9% - an additional $325.20 per year or $27.10 per month.
Thursday’s approval of City tax and spending plans for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020 comes after several months of stakeholder engagement – including an online survey that attracted unprecedented levels of participation, with 37,000 responses compared with the usual 2,000-3,000.
This is the third year in which the proposed budget was organized by outcome area, and not strictly by City department, to reflect the priorities of the Austin community, using Council’s adopted Strategic Direction 2023 as a guide. The outcomes are Culture & Lifelong Learning, Economic Opportunity & Affordability, Government That Works for All, Health & Environment, Mobility, and Safety.
Council began their deliberations on Wednesday working from the Manager’s proposed budget, (snapshot summary here) which included the following commitments, now part of the adopted budget:
- $60.9 million to strengthen the City’s commitment to end homelessness in Austin through housing displacement prevention, crisis mitigation, and re-empowerment efforts
- Additional $3.5 million in low interest loans to small businesses through the Family Business Loan Program
- $735,000 to enhance the City’s open-data portal, increasing transparency for Austin residents
- $1.5 million for improvements to the Asian American Resource Center, Carver Museum, and Mexican American Cultural Center
- $423,000 and 6 new positions to fully implement the citywide curbside organic materials collection program
- $14.7 million for sidewalk improvements and $2.3 million for pedestrian safety including hybrid beacons, audible crosswalk indicators, and more visible signs and markings
- $5.1 million for crisis response and victim services.
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Week of Action to Support Ending Homelessness
This year the City of Austin, partners, and friends are engaging our networks in a Week of Action to End Homelessness. We ask you to join in to grow the reach and impact of this new initiative.
What does it mean to join?
Learn more about this week and what we can all do to inspire action (Info Session on Tuesday, August 18, at 1:00 p.m. and Wed August 19 at 3:00 p.m.). Watch this space for calendar invites to participate.
Prepare for the week of action by adapting resources from our toolkit or creating your own, then recruit your network to participate.
Engage in the week of action to build community awareness and support for ending homelessness!
I've never heard of this before - what is it?
Launching for the first time, August 27 - September 2, 2020, each day of the week will give Austinites the tools to take collective action and amplify what we can all do to help.
The schedule for the Week of Action:
- Thursday, 8/27 - Prepare for the Week of Action
- Friday, 8/28 - Learn about homelessness in our community
- Saturday, 8/29 - Create something to help end homelessness
- Sunday, 8/30 - Share what you have created
- Monday, 8/31 - Call on our community to take action
- Tuesday, 9/1 - Give what you can to keep momentum going
- Wednesday, 9/5 - Thank the helpers all around us
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Response to City Council Resolution
20200729-114 regarding the HEROES Act
Below is the memorandum from the Intergovernmental Relations Office on the city council resolution prompting federal legislators to pass the HEROES Act, further supporting communities affected by COVID-19. The City of Austin Legislative Affairs Cabinet, which I am a current member, sent a letter of support to several federal elected officials listed below. I will include updates in the newsletter as city staff provides more information in the future.
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On July 29, 2020, Council passed Resolution No. 20200729-114 urging the passage of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act ("the HEROES Act"), or substantially similar federal legislation, to include additional support for communities, workers, small, businesses, and local governments as laid out in “Exhibit A”, a letter sent to Federal delegation by the Legislative Affairs Cabinet.
In response to Resolution No. 20200729-114, the Intergovernmental Relations Office emailed copies of the letter referred to as “Exhibit A” to U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and U.S. Congressmen Michael McCaul, Bill Flores, Chip Roy, Roger Williams, John Carter and Lloyd Doggett. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 512-974-2281.
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Reduced Water/Wastewater Rates for
CAP Customers to continue into FY2021
AUSTIN - Today, Austin City Council approved a recommendation from Austin Water to continue a 10 percent reduction in water and wastewater rates for our most vulnerable low-income customers enrolled in the City of Austin’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for the entirety of fiscal year 2021.
This utility bill relief in response to COVID-19 took effect on April 9, 2020 and included a $5 million contribution to the Plus 1 program, as well as additional measures to halt disconnects for non-payment, waive late fees and place customers in need on payment plans. Since that time City of Austin Utilities has provided $3,195,290 of financial assistance to 9,652 customers through the City’s Plus 1 Emergency Financial Support System.
“We want to make sure that the safety net remains in place for the most vulnerable low-income customers who may be struggling financially during this prolonged COVID-19 event,” said David Anders, Assistant Director of Austin Water Financial Services. “The reduced rates help CAP customers avoid higher bills at a time when many can least afford it.”
Additionally, as part of the approved budget, Austin City Council provided direction to Austin Water to develop a more accessible multi-family CAP discount program. The utility will return to Council in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 to describe the program's fiscal impacts and seek approval of implementation, including any necessary budget amendments.
The reduced residential water (Tiers 1-3) and wastewater (Tiers 1-2) volume rates for Customer Assistance Program customers are currently in place and will be extended until October 2021.
For eligibility requirements or information about additional assistance offered through the City of Austin Customer Assistance Program, customers can contact City of Austin Utilities at (512) 494-9400 or visit austinbillhelp.com
Improving Affordability
The Customer Assistance Program offers some of the most affordable water and wastewater rates in the nation and is recognized among the best in the water industry – a source of pride for the utility as it continues its multi-year push to make water service more affordable.
Improving affordability is a component of the utility’s long-term strategic business plan that uses Effective Utility Management strategies to meet the challenges ahead. The utility continues to find savings through cost containment, debt management and innovations in technology and processes. Cost savings are then passed along to customers in the way of rate reductions, rebates, and financial assistance for customers.
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Are you struggling to make your mortgage payments?
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FREE COVID-19 Testing in Del Valle
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U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USCHA):
COVID-19 Update
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Assistance for Small Business
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The Economic Development Department team has been working diligently to provide relief grants for the creative industry in Austin. We have reopened applications for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund and applications for the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant open next week. We’ve also completed our leadership team with the addition of Susana Carbajal as the new Assistant Director. Enjoy all the latest updates below!
- Veronica Briseño, City of Austin Chief Economic Recovery Officer |
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
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Economic Development Department announces Susana Carbajal as new Assistant Director
The City of Austin Economic Development Department is pleased to announce the final recruitment of its leadership team with the hiring of Susana Carbajal as the new Assistant Director. Susana joins Veronica Briseño (Director) and Sylnovia Holt Rabb (Deputy Director) in leading six divisions focused on economic support for Austin businesses. Read more about the team in the latest announcement. |
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Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant
Application Opens: August 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Application Closes: August 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200604-040 on June 4, 2020 to designate $3.5 million for the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant. Austin’s individual creatives and industry support staff that have experienced an economic hardship due to COVID-19 may apply for a $2,000 grant to offset expenses like rent, bills, and groceries.
The grant program is designed to provide immediate and equitably-focused grants to individual creatives and industry support staff in Austin. For purposes of the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant, “creative worker” will be defined as an individual whose current or primary occupation is or has been within arts, music, film, fashion, museums, preservation, and more. This includes both practicing artists and associated personnel within the creative industries.
For technical support and application status, contact Austin Better Business Bureau by email CreativeWorkerGrant@austin.bbb.org or by phone 512-318-2683.
For eligibility questions and assistance completing an application, contact Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts by email CreativeWorkerGrant@talarts.org or by phone 512-588-9971.
Visit ATXrecovers.com to view guidelines, eligibility requirements, and preview the application. |
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Visit ATXRecovers.com and Economic Development Department’s Small Business Resource Directory for resources, news updates, and other information for individuals and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You may also visit the City of Austin Information for Businesses and Industry website for updated safety guidelines for employers, employees and customers.
City of Austin Dashboards for COVID-19 Economic Recovery Programs
The City of Austin Economic Development Department published dashboards for several economic recovery programs administered by the department. These dashboards display information such as the number of applications received for each program, profiles of applicants (minus personal information), and approval and denial rates. Click the links below to view the program dashboards.
Early Matters Greater Austin COVID-19 Family Friendly Resources Guide
The Early Matters Greater Austin COVID-19 Family Friendly Resources Guide provides timely, relevant resources for you and your employees for managing work and child care. Discover resources for employers and employees, financial empowerment, child care and pre-k, and resources for children. |
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LatinXcellenceATX presents #MaskOn
We know you will wear a mask... But the real question is, how do you mask? Created by the Be the Change Network along with SaulPaul and Austin Community Leaders, this video is meant to inspire others to wear a mask during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the video for #MaskOn
COVID-19 Isolation Facility
Austin-Travis County established a COVID-19 Isolation Facility for those persons who need to self-monitor due to COVID-19 exposure, persons who may have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and have not been tested or are awaiting test results, and persons that tested positive for COVID-19. Staying at an isolation facility provides a free, safe place to recover and isolate without exposing family or roommates. Hotel rooms are free and amenities are provided at no cost. Call 512-810-7554 to inquire about reserving a room.
Public Enrollment Form for COVID-19 Testing
Austin Public Health has an online enrollment form for free COVID-19 testing. Use this online assessment to pre-register for testing for you or a loved one and schedule a no-cost, drive-through COVID-19 test at a local Austin Public Health facility. Austin Public Health (APH) has released a new online map showing the location of public and private COVID-19 testing locations. Details online at www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19
New Neighborhood Pop-Up & Home COVID-19 Testing Site
While the Austin Public Health drive-thru testing site has been operational since April, new neighborhood, pop-up and home testing will help reach more people. Sign up for a COVID-19 test through the Public Testing Enrollment Form or through the Nursing Hotline, you will receive confirmation via email or phone call that gives you information on your testing site and your appointment date and time.
Government Orders
Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-29 on July 2, 2020 requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions.
Mayor Adler issued Stay Home, Mask, And Otherwise Be Safe Order signed on July 2, 2020 prohibits gatherings of more than 10 persons and mandates that all individuals over the age of 10 must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times.
Please be advised that wearing a mask is not a substitute for maintaining six-feet social distancing and handwashing, as these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus. |
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CITY OF AUSTIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rental Assistance Program: Coming Soon!
In August, the City of Austin and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) will launch the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants Assistance Program (RENT). The program is for income-eligible Austin renters that live within the city limits and are financially impacted by COVID-19. The program will provide direct rent relief of $12.9 million between August 2020 and January 2021. Renters who think they may be eligible must apply through the RENT online application portal (open in August). Applicants will be randomly selected and qualified per program requirements and funding availability. Full monthly rent payment will be made directly to landlords on behalf of the tenant.
Check the www.austintexas.gov/RENT webpage for more information. To receive an email alert when RENT Assistance Program applications open in August and other information on the City’s housing affordability programs - subscribe to HousingMatters newsletter.
Reopening Guidance for Austin Music Venues Released to Support COVID-19 Recovery Planning
In partnership with the City of Austin, the Austin cohort of the Reopening Every Venue Safely (REVS) campaign has released best practices to help music venues reopen safely. This music venue best practices guide was developed by local industry representatives with input from local leaders about steps the Austin music venue community should consider taking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guide includes best practices for what artists, venue operators, and production staff should consider prior to, during, and after a show for tasks such as how to manage gear, a notification system in the event of positive cases, and ways to manage crowds safely.
Austin Public Works: Clear the ROW (Right of Way)
The City maintains public trees in the ROW, while property owners are responsible for maintaining private trees, even when they grow into the ROW. It is estimated that the percentage of functional sidewalks in Austin could be doubled if residents help address these barriers, increasing safety and mobility along pedestrian routes and streets.
Please trim vegetation to keep it at least 8 feet above and from the edge of sidewalks, and at least 14 feet above and from the edge of streets/alleys. Visit www.austintexas.gov/cleartherow for more information.
RedistrictATX.org
Austinites can apply to serve on one of two opportunities to redraw the boundaries of the 14 City Council districts. The redistricting process happens every ten years, coincides with the census, and will shape Austin’s future for the next decade. The Applicant Review Panel will select 60 of the most qualified applicants for the redistricting commission. Austin residents can apply at RedistrictATX.org. |
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NEWS
City of Austin
State of Texas
Office of the Governor News
- August 8, 2020 Governor Greg Abbott Renews COVID-19 Disaster Declaration
- August 5, 2020 Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce Deadline Extension For Medicaid, CHIP Providers To Apply For Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds
- July 31, 2020 Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Speaker Bonnen, Chairman Taylor, Chairman Huberty Release Statement On School Re-Openings
- July 30, 2020 Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce Extension Of Emergency SNAP Benefits For The Month Of August
- July 27, 2020 Governor Abbott Extends Early Voting Period For November 3rd Election
- July 22, 2020 Governor Abbott Welcomes Tesla To Texas
- July 15, 2020 Governor Abbott Announces $41 Million in Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funding For Local Governments
- June 22, 2020 Governor Abbott Provides Update On COVID-19 Response, Urges Texans To Follow Guidelines
Federal Government
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Texas Department of Transportation (TXDot)
North Lamar Center-Turn Lane Project
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City Auditor partners with community group to increase Hispanic/Latino representation for the redistricting process |
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WHAT: The Austin City Auditor continues to seek applicants for the redistricting process with a special call to the Hispanic/Latino community.
Austin residents can apply for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC), which will be responsible for redrawing the City Council districts and shape Austin’s future at www.RedistrictATX.org.
The City Auditor will be part of a virtual live panel discussion for a HABLA Platica meeting. The meeting will provide an overview and insight into the redistricting process.
HABLA is a group made up of local Hispanic/Latino community and business leaders committed to discussing and developing sustainable solutions on current affairs, public policies and quality of life issues impacting our local Austin Hispanic/Latino community.
As of August 12, approximately 12 percent of qualified Commission applicants have identified as Hispanic/Latino.
The complete demographic breakdown can be found on RedistrictATX.org.
The deadline to apply for the Redistricting Commission is Sept. 30
WHEN: 1-2 p.m., Thursday, August 13
WHO: Austin City Auditor Corrie Stokes, ICRC Commissioner Carmen Llanes Pudila, ICRC Commissioner Maria Solis, HABLA Co-Founder/Moderator Paul Saldaña, Co-Moderator Patricia Fraga
WHERE: The Virtual HABLA Platica Meeting will be broadcast and live-streamed on
https://www.facebook.com/events/304820194094850/
For additional information call (512) 974-2805. Additionally, Austin residents can ask questions on SpeakUpAustin.org or email redistrictatx@austintexas.gov and find more information on social media, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About the Redistricting Process
City of Austin voters approved Proposition 3, a City Charter amendment commonly referred to as “10-1,” in November 2012. This Charter amendment provides for the election of City Council Members from 10 geographic single-member districts, with the Mayor elected from the City at-large began with the November 2014 election.
The amendment calls for the creation of a three-member Applicant Review Panel and a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Commission will draw the boundaries for the City of Austin’s new Council election districts and the Panel will select the 60 most qualified applicants from the pool.
The redistricting process happens every ten years and coincides with the census.
The City Auditor is tasked with initiating and widely publicizing an application process and taking all reasonable and necessary steps to get a diverse pool of applicants.
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Limited Park Amenities and Outdoor Facilities
Reopen on Saturday, August 15
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Beginning on Saturday, August 15, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) will reopen limited park amenities and outdoor facilities. It's been determined that these re-openings may proceed safely during Stage 4 COVID-19: Risk-Based Guidelines. These changes were made in consultation with Austin Public Health and City leadership.
The following park amenities will be available:
Additionally, the following outdoor PARD facilities* will reopen:
- Tennis Centers
- Golf Courses
- Boating Concessions
- Clay Shooting Concessions
- Food Concessions
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden
*Each facility will operate under reduced capacity and COVID-19 Modified Operating Procedures specific to each facility, such as social distancing, cleaning protocols, temperature checks, etc.
The Department continues to evaluate its system-wide operations on a daily basis. As risk stages decrease, further consideration will be given to additional PARD openings. It is also possible that if conditions deteriorate, the Department will again close amenities/facilities.
Park patrons are reminded to continue practicing social distancing, hand sanitation, and wearing masks. Updates on park and facility operations can be found at austintexas.gov/parkclosures.
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