City Budget Squeezed Between Basic Costs and State Neglect

The city has $1.03 billion in taxpayer money. Here's where it's going.

"...finance, "Robin Hood," and the proposed city property tax rate...."

Aug. 11, 2017 News Feature by Michael King

City Budget: Something's Gotta Give

Cooling economy, rising costs mean tough choices for City Council

"...last couple of years. For the 10-1 Council (first inaugurated in 2015), "This is the toughest budget we've had,"..."

May 12, 2017 News Feature by Michael King

The Big Numbers Arrive

City budget staff briefs Council for FY2014-15

"...witnessed by General Fund reserves increasing from their current rate of 12% to 13.5%;..."

Aug. 4, 2014 News Post by Michael King

AISD: Budget Covers Raises, Benefits

District approves third deficit budget

"...money in its pocket and voters wary of tax increases, Austin ISD has passed its third successive deficit budget...."

Sept. 6, 2013 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Beside the Point

With shrinking sales tax receipts, so much for shopping ourselves outta recession

"...following a month of negative revenues, stand at an increase of 3.8% for the year. In order to get..."

May 2, 2008 News Column by Wells Dunbar

Your Electric Bill Is About to Go Way Up

Council approves new Austin Energy rates, advocates disappointed

"...process (which ended just last week) to change its rate structure and increase its base customer charge (the part..."

Dec. 16, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

This Is the Box We're In

Council doesn't have a budget, but they're cutting it nonetheless

"...have to draft the budget and set a tax rate while not knowing the city's potential property tax income..."

June 12, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

Room for the Unexpected

With the budget season not yet in full swing, there's still time for hope

"...deferred parks maintenance, cuts to summer programs, and fee increases, is invariably trotted out each budget cycle...."

July 1, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Council: The Public Weighs In

Budget priorities continue to be debated

"...return for converting the tract into parkland to be integrated into the master plan of the Mexican American Cultural..."

Aug. 28, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

City Hall Gets Better at the Basic Business of Budgeting

Early indicators are good, but difficult fiscal conversations linger

"...including both taxes and fees, or about a 2.5% increase from the current fiscal year. One of the more..."

Aug. 16, 2019 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

AISD Proposes Property Tax Cut

AISD looks to adopt FY 2016 budget

"...Austin could see a cut in their property tax rate this year. Austin ISD is proposing a cut to..."

Aug. 7, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Report: Arrests Up, Use of Force Down

While there was an overall increase in arrests made by Austin Police last year, the overall rate of police use of force declined, according to a recent APD report

"...While there was an overall increase in arrests made by Austin Police in 2005 –..."

Sept. 22, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Dropout Problem

Not students, but teachers – AISD struggles to retain qualified educators

"...AISD's annual turnover rate is 16%, which just about mirrors the state average...."

Aug. 12, 2005 News Feature by Rachel Proctor May

After a Decade of Decline in Teen Parents, Support Services Brace for Rising Demand

It takes a village

"...teen pregnancy. In the last two decades, teen birth rates have decreased nationwide...."

Dec. 23, 2022 News Feature by Sara Hutchinson

To Expand the Convention Center or Not?

Despite unanimous support from City Council, voters will decide the answer

"...say, the project – funded primarily by a 2% increase in the city's share of the Hotel Occupancy Tax..."

July 19, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Winter Heat Wave at ACC

The heat is on Austin Community College President Richard Fonté.

"...approving his proposals for a one-time summer application fee increase of $30 and the issuance of $10.5 million in..."

March 8, 2002 News Feature by Cathy Vaughan

Austin's Land Use Debate Returns to the Spotlight

A new draft code has risen out of CodeNEXT's ashes

"...to the adoption of two planning documents: the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, which..."

Oct. 11, 2019 News Feature by Austin Sanders

News Roundup: Law & Order

Council argues, Buehler arrested, grass green

"...out. And Item 44 would redirect the 3% wage increase recommended in the proposed budget only to the lowest-paid..."

Aug. 3, 2015 News Post by the News Staff

Council: The Budget Sing-Along

City Council plans for the Sept. 12 budget adoption

"...on departmental appropriations as well as the proposed tax rate – but it still looks likely that detailed dais..."

Aug. 31, 2012 News Feature by Michael King

Walking the No-Kill Tightrope

As Austin's animal welfare center moves to a new building, will the delicate balance of 'no-kill' and resources be maintained?

"...animal rescue group Austin Pets Alive! to occupy and operate the current (soon-to-be-former) Town Lake Animal Center on Cesar..."

Nov. 4, 2011 News Feature by Josh Rosenblatt

City Hall Hustle: Twisting the Knife

Is Austin heading for a double-dip recession?

"...assuming we bump up property taxes to the "rollback" rate, the highest tax increase – in this case, 3.1..."

April 22, 2011 News Column by Wells Dunbar

City Hall Hustle: Everybody Makes Do With Less ... Except APD

Council tweaks the minor numbers on the FY 2011 budget

"...And the basic decisions as to what the tax rate's going to be, who's going to get more money,..."

Sept. 17, 2010 News Column by Wells Dunbar

The Chips Are Down

Budget balancing picks up speed – and it's anything but fun and games

"...released "menu" of some 240 proposed cuts and fee increases to the city's fiscal year 2010 budget. Using poker-style..."

June 26, 2009 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Does Austin Need Fixing? Ask Reno.

Animal shelter reform has meant less euthanasia in Reno – why not in Austin?

"...in an undeclared race to reduce animal shelter kill rates? That's the thrust of a report issued last month..."

Aug. 8, 2008 News Feature by Patricia J. Ruland

Making Cents of Tuition Plan

Few students, but strong opinions about UT's rising prices

"...civic engagement at a second forum on a proposed flat-rate tuition plan last week. Only about 50 students filtered..."

Dec. 10, 2004 News Feature by Rachel Proctor May

Austin Taxes

Too high, too low, just right -- or all of the above?

"...tells me.) But there's no arguing that Austin's tax rate isn't high enough to cover what the city spends;..."

Aug. 8, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Robin Was Here

"...higher taxes. The big hickeys are a $55.4 million increase that AISD must return to the state under the..."

June 14, 2002 News Feature by Michael King

Postmarks

How the WTO touches our readers' lives; and other hot-button issues like film reviews, bikes, and Kevin Fullerton.

"...a self-styled "progressive" writer be trusted to provide an accurate and truthful portrayal of events and trends if published..."

Dec. 10, 1999 Column

Council Budget Afterthoughts

Council members offer post-approval thoughts on FY 2016 budget

"...of this budget and this council. The budget substantially increases spending for health and social service (by nearly $9..."

Sept. 18, 2015 News Post by Michael King

Council Wrap-Up

Council passes a budget, 10-1 – no, wait, make that 9-2

"...than the original estimate, for an astonishing 12.5% growth rate over FY 2015. That meant council members and budgeteers..."

Sept. 18, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

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