[00:00:04]
[Call to Order]
ORDER ON JULY 31ST, 2025.THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR A BUDGET MEETING.
UH, AS I INDICATED, IT'S JULY 31ST, 2025.
WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL PRESENT, AND WE ARE MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED IN CITY HALL AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WE HAVE THREE ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
UH, THE FIRST ITEM IS A DISCUSSION, UH, FROM THE OFFICE OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, UH, WHICH IS A, A, A PRESENTATION THAT WILL BE MADE, UH, RELATED TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE SECOND ITEM ON THE AGENDA RELATES TO THE ADOPTION OF A MA PROPOSED, UH, A MAXIMUM PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE.
AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT, UH, IN A FEW MINUTES.
UH, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THAT ITEM, WE WILL, AS A COUNCIL VOTE ON THE DECLARATION OF A PROPOSED MAXIMUM TAX RATE, UH, JUST FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING ATTENTION, THAT THE, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THE ORDER IS, DEPENDING UPON WHERE WE ARE, UH, WE MAY RECESS AT THAT POINT AND COME BACK FOR A THREE O'CLOCK TIME, CERTAIN, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, WE WILL BE CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED CITY OF AUSTIN BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, 20 25, 20 26.
UH, BUT THAT, AND THAT IS SET FOR A TIME CERTAIN, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO, FIRST THING IS BEGIN WITH PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER ONE.
AND SO I WILL TURN TO THE CITY UNLESS THERE'S QUESTIONS FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL.
UM, ALL RIGHT, I THINK WE'RE COOL.
SO WHY DON'T I TURN TO YOU AND
[Public Communication]
YOU BEGIN THE PROCESS OF WORKING US THROUGH THE, UH, PEOPLE THAT WANNA SPEAK.WHAT I'LL TELL FOLKS THAT ARE HERE IN THE CHAMBERS, WHAT WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO DO IS WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, AND SHE'LL CALL THREE, FOUR, OR FIVE NAMES AT A TIME WHEN SHE DOES THAT.
IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND GET UP AND COME DOWN AND TAKE ONE OF THE SEATS THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, IF THERE'S NOT SEATS AVAILABLE, TAKE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE UP CLOSE UP FRONT SEATS SO THAT YOU'LL BE IN A POSITION TO LET US A, KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE.
B UH, IT'LL WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY.
'CAUSE WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK.
AND THAT WAY IT'S, IT'S, UH, IT HELPS THOSE THAT ARE BEHIND YOU THAT ARE WAITING ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THAT, THAT, UM, WE'LL, WE'LL MOVE MORE EFFICIENTLY.
SO WITH THAT, UH, FILIBUSTER ON SPEAKING, LET ME, UH, TURN TO YOU,
WE'LL START WITH REMOTE SPEAKERS.
UM, MY NAME IS PAT VARES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, AND I AM SPEAKING ON THE ANIMAL SERVICES BUDGET.
UH, FIRST I WANNA START BY THANKING BOTH COUNCIL MEMBER VELA AND COUNCIL MEMBER LANE FOR THE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANIMAL SERVICES THAT YOU BOTH HAVE POSTED ON THE, UM, COUNCIL Q AND A.
I APPRECIATE THAT, AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, I THINK BY, I'M SURE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, HAD TO DO WITH THE CUTS TO THE, UM, ANIMAL SERVICES VETERINARY PROGRAMS, THE ONE THAT CONTRACTS FOR ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES, AND THE ONE THAT, UM, CONTRACTS FOR EMERGENCY, UH, MEDICAL SERVICES AT THE EMERGENCY CLINIC.
WHEN A PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY PICKS UP A LOST OR FOUND PET, UM, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE ANSWERS THAT YOU WERE GIVEN WERE VERY GOOD ANSWERS ON THE, UM, ON THE EMERGENCY VETERINARY CUT.
AND I AM ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY DISTURBED ABOUT THE FACT THAT, UM, IT SAYS MOST CITIES DO THIS, AND MOST CITIES DO THAT.
AND I'M SORRY, BUT WE ARE NOT.
MOST CITIES, AUSTIN HAS PRIDED ITSELF
[00:05:01]
ON BEING A LEADER IN ANIMAL SERVICES AND SAYING THAT OTHER CITIES DO NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR INJURED ANIMALS THAT ARE FOUND BY THE PUBLIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN THE SHELTER IS CLOSED.SO I HOPE YOU'LL ASK A QUESTION, A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION DURING THIS, UH, Q AND A THAT I THINK IS GONNA FOLLOW THE STAFF BRIEFING, AND I HOPE YOU'LL TRY TO GET MORE DETAIL, ESPECIALLY ON THE IMPACT TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO, WHEN THEY SHOW UP AT AN EMERGENCY CLINIC, UH, WITH AN, AN INJURED ANIMAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, CANNOT AFFORD TO FEED TO EVEN WALK IN THE DOOR.
UM, MY NAME IS COLE WEAVER AND I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF UNITED WORKERS OF MATERNAL CARE.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A, THIS IS ABOUT THE TAX ELECTION, RIGHT? THIS IS RELATED TO THE BUDGET GENERALLY, BUT YES, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO WITH REGARD TO THE BUDGET.
WELL, WITH REGARDS TO THE BUDGET, I'M HERE TO ENCOURAGE ATTACHMENT COLLECTION, IDEALLY AT THE 7 CENT LEVEL AND NO LOWER THAN 5 CENTS.
UM, THIS IS NOT A DECISION TO TAKE LIGHTLY, BUT IT'S ONE THAT WE MUST TAKE BOLDLY IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MEETING THE NEEDS OF, OF THIS MOMENT.
AUSTIN IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES, FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS, EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS, AND A ARPA.
SUPPORTIVE SHELTERS ARE PUTTING IMMENSE PRESSURE ON OUR LOCAL HOMELESS RESPONSE PROGRAM WITHOUT ADDITIONAL LOCAL INVESTMENT, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM RISK COLLAPSED.
THAT MEANS FEWER SHELTER BEDS, REDUCED OUTREACH AND CASE MANAGEMENT AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE BEING PUSHED BACK INTO CRISIS.
UH, HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICES LAID OUT THE PLAN FOR THE, UH, FFY, UM, 26 BUDGET, INVESTMENTS IN SHELTER EXPANSION, RAPID RE HOUNDING AND PERMANENT SUPPORT OF HOUSING.
BUT NONE OF THESE ITEMS ARE ONLY VIABLE IF VOTERS ARE GIVEN THE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THEIR TAX RATE ELECTION, 8 CENT ADDED ING $22 MILLION.
UM, AS EVIDENCE INCREASE COULD, COULD ENSURE WE PRESERVE AND GROW THESE LIFE SAVING SERVICES INSTEAD OF WATCHING THEM ROAD UNDER THE WAY TO FEDERAL RETREAT.
BUT THIS ISN GETS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.
OUR PARKS, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR ENTIRE QUALITY OF LIFE IS AT STAKE IF WE WANT SAFE, VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS.
IF WE WANT TO REMAIN, BECAME PASSIONATE AND THRIVING SINCE WE CAN'T CLAIM TO BE, THEN WE MUST COME TOGETHER AND INVEST IN EACH OTHER.
AUSTIN POLICE HAVE SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEY WANT TO CARE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS.
LET'S GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT.
LEAVE WITH COURAGE AND LET'S BUILD A CITY WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE FOUNDATION THEY NEED TO LIVE AND THRIVE.
THAT'S ALL THE REMOTE SPEAKERS WE HAVE AT THIS TIME.
SO I'LL MOVE TO IN PERSON SPEAKERS.
AND AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, I'M GONNA SAY SEVERAL NAMES AT ONCE.
IF YOU PLEASE JUST COME DOWN AND BE SURE TO STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE, THE MIC AS YOU BEGIN.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF AFSCME 1624, RESIDENT OF D FOUR.
UH, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, NOT MY EMPLOYER, NOT ANY ORGANIZATION THAT I'M A MEMBER OF.
BUT I DO WANNA SAY THAT THIS MORNING YOU'RE GONNA BE PRESENTED WITH THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET, AND MUCH LIKE JAZZ, LISTEN TO THE NOTES THAT AREN'T THERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE THAT I LIKE, SOME THINGS THAT I DON'T, BUT MOST OF THE COMMENTS THAT YOU'RE GONNA HEAR TODAY FROM THE PUBLIC ARE GONNA BE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN THIS BUDGET.
SO I'M JUST SAYING THAT TO TEE UP WHAT, UH, OUR CALLER SAID BEFORE, YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THE OPTIONS THAT EXIST HERE, PUTTING IT BEFORE THE VOTERS TO HAVE A TRE THAT FUNDS THE DEEPLY FELT NEEDS THAT AREN'T GOING TO BE MET BY FEDERAL FUNDING THAT'S BEING CUT.
THE STATE'S NEVER FUNDED THINGS.
WELL, WE KNOW THAT NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GETTING INTO THAT ACT, AND WE'RE GONNA BE FACED WITH SOME TOUGH DECISIONS ON HOW WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, HEALTHY THINGS THAT ACTUALLY END UP SAVING US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.
OUNCE OF PREVENTION BEATS A POUND OF CURE.
IT'S A LOT CHEAPER TO PREVENT ILLNESS THAN IT IS TO HEAL PEOPLE AFTER THEY'VE BEEN SICK.
NOT TO MENTION THE EFFECT THAT A MASS ILLNESS OR PANDEMIC, UH, WOULD HAVE ON OUR TAX BASE, RIGHT? UH, SICK AND DEAD, DEAD PEOPLE DON'T PAY TAXES.
[00:10:01]
SO I'M TALKING ABOUT IN THIS BUDGET, WHEN YOU SEE THE PRESENTATION, YES, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED, BUT ALSO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED.WHAT THINGS ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE IF WE DON'T FUND IT PROPERLY? I AM A LITTLE DISMAYED THAT WE'RE GONNA BE SETTING A A CEILING BEFORE, UH, THAT'S MORE ITEM TWO.
I'LL LEAVE IT FOR THAT ONE BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE FULL PUBLIC.
UH, ALSO WEIGH THAT IN YOUR CONSIDERATIONS.
YOU WANNA GO? PLEASE GO AHEAD.
I'M IN DISTRICT NINE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS TIME TO SPEAK TO THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE UP TO DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF SWIM LESSONS THAT ARE OFFERED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I KNOW, JUST LIKE ME, EVERYONE HERE READS THE NEWS ACCOUNTS FREQUENTLY ABOUT PEOPLE DROWNING IN THE LAKE.
RECENTLY WE HAD A CHILD WHO DROWNED IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN PUBLIC POOL.
SO I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD MAKE THE GOAL TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD WHO LEAVES EIGHTH GRADE OR MAYBE FIFTH GRADE, I MEAN, HAS THE ABILITY TO SWIM.
YOU CAN PARTNER WITH A ISD, CAN PARTNER WITH THE Y BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN THAT AUSTIN IS A SWIM PROOF CITY.
WE HAVE A RIVER GOING THROUGH THE MIDDLE.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE DROWN IN THAT ARE ADULTS, BUT WE CAN ELIMINATE DROWNINGS IN AUSTIN IF WE DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF SWIM LESSONS.
AND THE WAY TO DO THAT ONE THING, IN ORDER TO BE TEACH SWIM LESSONS IN AUSTIN, LIFEGUARDS HAVE TO PAY A $45 FEE TO TAKE THAT COURSE TO SWIM LESSONS.
YOU, YOU'RE GONNA NEED MORE TEACHERS.
YOU COULD PROVIDE A $500 BONUS FOR ANYONE WHO PASSES THESE SWIM CERTIFICATION COURSE.
YOU'RE GONNA NEED MORE LIFEGUARDS BECAUSE THE ONES WHO, IF YOU USE MORE TO TEACH SWIM LESSONS, YOU NEED MORE ON THE STANDS.
SO YOU SHOULD INCREASE BY $1 THE MINIMUM STARTING SALARY FOR LIFEGUARDS.
YOU SHOULD NOT BE THE MINIMUM WAGE.
UM, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX, HAVE BEEN SINCE 1987.
WHEN MOVING MOVED HERE IN 1987.
CITY BUDGET WAS UNDER CONTROL.
THE TRAFFIC WAS UNDER CONTROL.
BUT SINCE THAT TIME, SINCE ACTUALLY SINCE 10, ONE COUNCIL, UH, CONFIGURATION HAS COME INTO, UM, BEING THIS, THIS CITY HAS BECOME A WRECK, A COMPLETE WRECK, YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE EVERYBODY EQUAL.
I BELIEVE IN MY HEART OF HEARTS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS CITY INTO A COMMUNIST CITY.
BECAUSE OF THAT, Y'ALL ARE NOT LISTENING TO THE WIDOWS AND PEOPLE THAT TRY TO MAKE A LIVING IN THIS CITY.
YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ANYBODY BUT THE ACTIVIST.
I COME DOWN HERE PROBABLY PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK FOR SAYING THIS, BUT WHEN YOU PUT THOSE PATHS, THEY PUT THE ORDINANCE TO PUT THE ALL THE HOMELESS ON THE STREETS A FEW YEARS AGO, I HAD TO GO DOWN AND BUY A WEAPON TO PROTECT MYSELF AT MY OWN HOME.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M AFRAID WHEN YOU PUT CUTTING THE POLICE BUDGET, THE MS THE FIRE, YOU'RE PUTTING ME AT RISK AND EVERYBODY ELSE AT RISK IN THIS CITY.
EVERY ONE OF YOU, ALL OF YOU ARE COMMUNIST AND YOU SHOULDN'T BE.
YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR PEOPLE.
THE, UM, WIDOWS PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD ALL YOUR TAX INCREASES BY THE TIME ALL THE OTHER TAX, UH, ENTITIES GET, GET RAISING THEIR RATES WILL PROBABLY BE THREE OR $4,000 OUT MORE MONEY EVERY YEAR.
SO SHAME ON YOU FOR EVEN PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA BEFORE WE EVEN DISCUSS THE BUDGET.
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YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.I'M CO-FOUNDER OF A TX PEACE, UH, ALONG WITH SHERWIN PATTON, WHO IS IN THE ROOM WITH US.
UH, I JUST WANTED TO COME AND SAY, UM, GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HEADS UP ABOUT WHAT AT TX PIECE HAS BEEN DOING THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
I HAVE AN IMPACT REPORT I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE WITH Y'ALL AFTER I GET DONE SPEAKING IF THAT'S ALLOWED.
UM, BUT WE HAVE HAD AMAZING, UM, AMAZING GROWTH IN THOSE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ASK ME, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT, UH, VIOLENCE IS, IS BEING STOPPED THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM THAT A TX PIECE IS RUNNING? UH, WE HAVE DEESCALATIONS NUMBERS, AND LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT A DEESCALATION IS.
WHEN TWO PEOPLE IN A COMMUNITY ARE ABOUT TO FIGHT EACH OTHER, BOTH OF WHICH ARE HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS OF GUN VIOLENCE, THAT IS GOING TO BE A SHOOTING, WHETHER IT RESULTS IN A HOMICIDE OR NOT.
WHEN WE DEESCALATE ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS, IT IS STOPPING A SHOOTING AND A POTENTIAL HOMICIDE.
WE HAVE THE NUMBERS TO BACK UP WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN OUR AREAS.
WHEN WE WERE HIRED ON, UH, TWO, TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE WERE GIVEN TWO VERY SMALL GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS, GE UH, GEORGIAN ACRES AND PLEASANT VALLEY.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD TO EXPAND OUT ALL THE WAY AROUND ALL OF THESE AREAS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE SHOOTINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.
WE STILL HAVE THE SAME EXACT BUDGET, AND ACTUALLY IT'S $200,000 LESS THAN IT WAS WHEN WE STARTED.
SO AS WE EXPAND OUT, AND WE HAVE 17, UH, TRUSTED MESSENGERS AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, WE HAVE 15 YOUTH AMBASSADORS IN SCHOOLS, AND WE'RE DOING SO MUCH MORE WITH LESS MONEY.
WE NEED THE ABILITY TO, TO EXPAND AND, AND REALLY TRULY PLAN A FLAG IN THESE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE CAN BE THERE EVERY DAY, BOOTS ON THE GROUND, INTERRUPTING THE VIOLENCE.
AND SO I'M ASKING THE, THE, THE CITY COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE BUDGET OF CBI, UH, FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND ULTIMATELY MOVING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE.
UM, WE ARE DOING AMAZING WORK AND WE ARE LITERALLY, WE HAVE SUPERHEROES IN OUR COMMUNITY FIGHTING VIOLENCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
IS THERE ANY WAY I COULD HAND THIS OUT? YEAH, IF YOU'LL TAKE IT OVER.
IF YOU'LL WALK BACK AROUND AND GO OVER TO THE CLERK'S TABLE, THEY'LL MAKE SURE WE GET A COPY.
CONTINUING ON WITH ITEM ONE, SHARON PATTON, JEFFREY BOWEN, ADAM CARTWRIGHT, SUSAN SPATARO, ESTHER DOTSON.
MR. BOWEN, WHY DON'T YOU START AND WE'LL GO THAT DIRECTION.
UM, I ACTUALLY WANT TO, BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST ITEM I, I REALLY WANNA THANK MR. BROAD NECK AND THE, UH, BUDGET TEAM FOR ACTUALLY PROVIDING SOME USEFUL INFORMATION THIS YEAR.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ENTIRE BUDGET, IN THE PAST YEARS, IT'S ALMOST BEEN LIKE, UH, TRYING TO FIND WHERE'S WALDO.
WE'VE AT LEAST BEEN RECEIVING DIFFERENT, OR AT LEAST INFORMATION TO AT LEAST GO, OKAY, WHERE ELSE DO I NEED TO LOOK? AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR ACTUALLY PUTTING THIS, UH, MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THIS.
IT HAS PROVIDED ME A CHANCE TO GO, OKAY, I NOW HAVE MORE QUESTIONS AND OTHER AREAS TO START LOOKING, BUT I WANT TO COMMEND AT LEAST WE HAVE INFORMATION SO THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE NOW INVOLVED AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO START REALLY LOOKING INTO THE DETAILS.
THANK YOU MS. LANG AND THE REST OF THE BUDGET PEOPLE FOR AT LEAST DOING THIS AND PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION AT THESE TOWN HALLS.
SUSAN, SUSAN SPATARO, DISTRICT EIGHT.
UM, AS WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT IT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT EXCEED WHAT THE MANAGER HAS PROPOSED.
I THINK THE ISSUES OF AFFORDABILITY, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELESSNESS ARE THE KEY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.
PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACTS EVERYTHING YOU WANT.
PEOPLE WANT MORE WALKING, MORE SIDEWALKS, MORE BIKES.
THAT'S NOT RELIABLE IF YOU'RE NOT SAFE TO DO THAT.
I WAS A MEETING IN SOUTH AUSTIN A YEAR AGO WITH A, A BUNCH OF PEOPLE, PROBABLY AVERAGE SIX YEARS OLD.
THE MEN WON'T LET THEIR WIVES GO TO THE GROCERY STORE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SAFE IN THE PARKING LOT.
WE SHOULD NOT BE THAT WAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UM, WHAT CAN YOU DO? I'M GONNA SPEAK AT THREE ON THE POLICE BUDGET, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IMPACTS IN THE GENERAL BUDGET, WE TALK ABOUT THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER.
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE RENTERS.
AND MAYOR, YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT POINT.
AND THAT IS RENTERS END UP PAYING PROPERTY TAXES, BUSINESS RENTERS, AND RESIDENTIAL, UM, BUSINESSES THAT ARE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LEAVING AUSTIN.
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BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND THE COST OF LIVING.THE, UH, UH,
BUT THE WORST ONE IS DOWNTOWN VACANCY RATES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE METRO, CHECKING IN AT 31.8%.
THAT THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD DO IS, IS YOU'RE LOSING SOME FEDERAL GRANTS.
I WOULD LOOK AT COUNTY OR THE CITY'S ORGANIZATION AND SEE, ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING THAT WOULD PUT YOU IN A NEGATIVE POSITION FOR THE GRANTS? I THINK THAT'S WORTH LOOKING AT SO THAT YOU'RE NOT, UH, PRECLUDED FROM THAT.
UM, THE OTHER THING IS THERE'S TOO MANY LAWSUITS AND TOO MANY REFERENDUMS. PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPY.
PEOPLE THAT I'VE KNOWN FOR YEARS HERE ARE LEAVING.
WELL, THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME.
UM, MY NAME IS SHERWIN PATTON AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF DREAM TOGETHER 2030.
AND WE ARE A COALITION OF COMMITTED PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR, UH, JUST EQUITABLE AND A THRIVING CENTRAL TEXAS.
SO FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT TO AFFIRM THE DIRECTION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
UM, IT DOESN'T JUST SPEAK ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
IT FUNDS REAL PROGRAMS, UM, THAT ARE ALREADY TRANSFORMING LIVES.
AND THESE AREN'T JUST THEORETICAL IDEAS.
UM, THEY'RE A TANGIBLE, HEALING CENTERED SERVICES THAT PREVENT HARM.
AND AS DT 2030, UM, THIS COALITION IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES SUCH AS, UM, THE HARVEST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, AND A TX PEACE, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
AND SO, UM, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THE TAX RATE ELECTION IS A COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT DECISION, ESPECIALLY IN THIS VOLATILE ECONOMIC, UH, TIME THAT WE ARE IN, UH, AND AFFORDABILITY MATTERS.
UM, BUT ALSO THESE COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES LIKE VIOLENCE PREVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH, ADOLESCENT CARE, THAT MATTERS AS WELL.
AND SO WE ARE HERE, UM, TO REALLY BE CLEAR THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS A JUSTICE ISSUE.
AND SO WHEN INVESTMENTS ARE DELAYED OR REDUCED TO DEEPENS, LONGSTANDING DISPARITIES, SO WE, WE STRONGLY WANT TO SUPPORT, UM, THE PROPOSED NINE POINT 28 MILLION, UM, TO STABILIZE CORE PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING AND REDUCE DEPENDENCY ON FEDERAL DOLLARS.
AND LOCAL CONTROL MATTERS IN A, A SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE WE REALLY CAN'T DEPEND UPON FUNDING COMING FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
SO WE ALSO SUPPORT THE 6.5 MILLION DEDICATED TO ADOLESCENT HEALTH AND MATERNAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
UM, THESE SERVICES ARE LIFELINES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I WAS JUST AT A FUNERAL JUST YESTERDAY WHERE A YOUNG MAN LOST HIS LIFE NEEDLESSLY.
AND SO WE JUST NEED FOR US TO STAND TOGETHER.
AND SO AT DREAM TOGETHER, WE BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS AND THAT WE ARE BETTER IF WE DO THIS TOGETHER.
AND SO WE'RE DEPENDENT UPON THIS COUNCIL AND THIS MAYOR, UM, TO PLEASE BE WITH US ON THIS AND APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND FOR THE HARD DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO MAKE.
ELAINE LOFTON, TERRANCE HOPKINS, VICTORIA SALINAS, CHARLES GIRE, ARD ARLAN, KELLY GARKO.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD, BUT PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
I'M WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH HARVEST FOUNDATION.
THE GOOD MORNING MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF.
I'M, I'M HERE TODAY BEFORE YOU, WITH A DEEP GRATITUDE AND A CLEAR CALL TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN WHAT'S WORKING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
I FIRST WANT TO SINCERELY THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR YOUR PAST AND ONGOING SUPPORT.
YOUR PARTNERSHIP HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY LED ORGANIZATIONS TO TRULY REACH, RESTORE, AND UPLIFT LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, POVERTY, AND SYSTEMIC INEQUITY.
I AM HERE TODAY TO VOICE MY STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED FUNDING AND REQUEST FOR WITH LIFE ANEW DREAM TOGETHER 2020 AND ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN WHAT, UH, MR. SHE PATTON HAD OUTLINED.
WE ARE DOING THE WORK WE'RE PROVIDING CULTURALLY GROUNDED MENTAL WELLNESS CIRCLES, PURE LED TRAUMA RECOVERY SERVICES, WRAPAROUND YOUTH PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT VIOLENCE BEFORE IT STARTS THROUGH THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.
WE SERVE YOUTH AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE, GRIEF, AND GENERATIONAL TRAUMA WITH COMPASSION, TRUST, AND CARE THAT REFLECTS THEIR LI LIVED EXPERIENCE.
AND WITH THE LIFE OF NEW, WE ARE PROUD TO WALK ALONGSIDE A PARTNER THAT IS LEADING THE WAY IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION, HELPING SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPAIR HARM
[00:25:01]
AND REBUILD TRUST.THESE ARE NOT JUST PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE OFFERING AS A, A COLLECTION AND A COHESIVE OF GROUPS.
THEY'RE LIFELINES AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THE MOMENTUM.
PLEASE CONTINUE INVESTING IN SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BUILT BY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR HANDOUTS, WE'RE ASKING FOR THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE SAVING LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITTED JUSTICE, HEALING AND PREVENTION.
HOW'S IT GOING, GUYS? UM, I JUST WANTED SEIMA.
I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR BE HERE TODAY.
UH, MY NAME IS SAM SWENSON HOPKINS WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH CONFERENCE FOUNDATION.
WE'RE ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.
BUT THEN OUR BUILDING, WE HAVE OVER 30 DIFFERENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ALL COMING TO CANADA JUST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND EACH ORGANIZATION, LIKE A PUZZLE PIECE.
YOU PUT THOSE PIECES TOGETHER AND MAY SET THE BIG PICTURE.
MOST PEOPLE SAY, MAN, WHAT AM I LOOKING AT WHEN I LOOK AT THIS BIG PICTURE? IT'S SIMPLE.
AND ALONGSIDE WITH THE LIFE IN NEW, WE'RE HERE TO JUST MAKE A, A GREAT CHANGE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND WITHIN OUR CITIES TO LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES AND HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED ON PURPOSE.
WE ALSO SPEAK AT SEVEN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, EDUCATING YOUNG MINDS, TEACHING 'EM ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, TEACHING 'EM ABOUT THE SIXTIES OF EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, CITIZENSHIP, CREATIVITY, CRITICAL THINKING, AND A CHARACTER.
AND THE WHOLE GOAL IS JUST TO LET THE STUDENTS KNOW THAT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE UNEXPECTED HITS AND CERTAIN CHALLENGES THAT CAN STOP THEM FROM THEM MOVING FORWARD, BUT TO CONTINUE TO KEEP ON MOVING FORWARD KNOWING AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE, AND THAT THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING ARE GONNA MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
WE'RE ALSO HERE JUST TO BRING ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR, OUR PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, LET 'EM KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, WHICH IS ALSO HELPING THOSE PEOPLE WHO, WHO'VE BEEN FACING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAUMA WHEN IT COMES TO PSD OR MANY DIFFERENT OTHERS.
BUT OUR WHOLE PURPOSE AND OUR WHOLE GOAL IS JUST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT DOWN IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN.
AND, UM, I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD, YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THE BUDGET.
UH, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT I HOPE THAT THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE WILL BE MADE WITH A FOCUS ON PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE AUSTINITES.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, UM, SERVICES, UH, TO HELP PREVENT FIRST TIME HOMELESSNESS.
I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASE IN, UH, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING FIRST TIME HOMELESSNESS, UM, CONCERNED ABOUT, UM, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FACING HOUSING INSECURITY.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO FUND THE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PEOPLE SHELTERED, HOUSED ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES? AND ALSO, UM, I WANTED TO ADD A INCREASE IN, UM, FUNDS FOR OUR PARKS MAINTENANCE.
UM, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR CITY PRIORITIZE ACCESS TO, UH, WELL MAINTAINED PARKS AND PARKS, FACILITIES, POOLS THAT, UH, THAT FAMILIES ALL AROUND AUSTIN CAN ENJOY.
UM, I HOPE THAT THOSE, THOSE FUNDS CAN BE UTILIZED EQUITABLY ACROSS THE CITY.
UM, AND, UH, I'LL YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.
WE HAVE ONE MORE REMOTE SPEAKER THAT JUST JOINED, SO LET ME CALL THAT SPEAKER, FRANK NETCHER AUDIO.
I'M, UH, CALLING IN FROM DISTRICT ONE.
UH, I'M CALLING ACTUALLY TO SPEAK ABOUT, UH, ITEM TWO.
UM, SO I THINK I SHOULD PROBABLY WAIT.
IF, IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SINCE YOU'RE ON THE PHONE, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK ON ITEM TWO, BUT WE WILL NOT CALL YOU AGAIN ON ITEM TWO.
UH, SO ITEM TWO IS, UH, THE, THE TAX RATE ELECTION, UM, COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, 2025.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THAT.
UH, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING GET PULLED FROM US, FROM, UH, VARIOUS AGENCIES AND SHAKES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND OF COURSE, UH, I CAN CERTAINLY SYMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE.
BUT, UH, TO BE HONEST, UH, IT HAS NOT BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.
AND AS WE INCREASE THE A PD BUDGET, THAT IS TAKING AWAY MORE AND MORE FROM OUR GENERAL BUDGET THAT WE CANNOT GET BACK DUE TO STATE LAWS.
SO IT IS ACTIVELY MAKING OUR CITY MORE EXPENSIVE.
SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO A TAX RATE ELECTION, MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE UP THAT
[00:30:01]
FEDERAL BUDGET FALL SHORTFALL, AND THE, AND THE BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN GOING INTO A PD FOR THINGS LIKE ROBOT CARS AND SPOT CAMERAS.AND INSTEAD MAKE IT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LIVING WAGE AND HIGH PAYING JOBS WITH SHADE AND TREES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND LIBRARIES AND PARKS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR ITEM ONE.
UM, MEMBERS, ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED ON ITEM NUMBER ONE.
UM, WE HAVE AN ISSUE IN THAT, UH, THIS MORNING WE GOT WORD THAT WILLIAMSON COUNTY, THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY FINAL ROLES WERE IN, BUT THERE WERE SOME ADJUSTMENTS BEING MADE BY WILLIAMSON COUNTY, THOSE FINAL ROLES.
SO OUR PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL STAFF IS DOING WHAT YOU WOULD WANT THEM TO DO, WHICH IS CRUNCH NUMBERS WITH THOSE FINAL ROLES.
AND SO TO, TO ALLOW THEM THE APPROPRIATE TIME THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION THAT WE NEED.
UH, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO AND WE WILL CALL THE SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER TWO SO THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM THOSE SPEAKERS.
AND THAT WILL ALLOW, UH, THE STAFF TO BE FULLY PREPARED WHEN THEY COME BACK IN.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, LET'S JUST DO THAT.
WE'LL GO TO THE SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.
WE'LL START WITH THE REMOTE SPEAKERS.
THANK YOU MAYOR, MAYOR, PRO TEM, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR, AGAIN, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS PAT RES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, AND I SUPPORT YOU INCREASING OR DISCUSSING AND INCREASING YOUR FLEXIBILITY TO RAISE TAXES TO ALLOW YOU TO MORE THOROUGHLY ANALYZE THE BASE BUDGET.
AND WHAT I ALSO WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR IS THAT YOU PUT THE VETERINARY SERVICES FOR ANIMAL SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN CUT, BOTH THE ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES AND THE, UM, EMERGENCY CLINIC SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO FIND LOST PETS INTO THE BASE BUDGET.
AND THEN WHEN YOU DISCUSS THE, UM, INCREASED TAXES THAT YOU WANT TO, UM, INCREASE IT TO, WHETHER IT'S ONE PENNY OR WHETHER IT'S FOUR PENNIES OR EIGHT PENNIES, THAT YOU THEN DISCUSS INCREASING IT TO A LEVEL THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ADD THE TWO ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS THAT ANIMAL SERVICES ARE, IS REQUESTING.
AS I SAID BEFORE, I DO NOT THINK THAT ANIMAL SERVICES HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH ENOUGH GOOD INFORMATION TO ANALYZE THE BUDGET CUT TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES AT THE SHELTER, NOR HAS IT PROVIDED YOU WITH GOOD INFORMATION TO MAKE THE DECISION ABOUT WHETHER TWO ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS ARE NEEDED.
THEREFORE, IF YOU HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT PUTS THE BASE BUDGET AMOUNT, UH, PUTS THE, THE VETERINARY SERVICES INTO THE BASE BUDGET, AND THEN DISCUSS THE, UM, INCREASES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS AS PART OF THE TAX INCREASE AND HAVE IT GO INTO, I, I ASSUME THAT THE ONE PENNY INCREASE WILL MORE THAN COVER TWO ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS, UM, HIGH PAID, THOUGH THEY MAY BE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A VERY SMALL AMOUNT IN YOUR BUDGET.
SO, UM, I SUPPORT YOU INCREASING YOUR FLEXIBILITY TO THE, TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE, NOT NECESSARILY
MY NAME IS JORDAN MIDDLEBROOK.
UM, I'M A MEMBER OF DSA AND I ALSO LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR AND THE HIGHLAND AREA.
UM, AND I'M CALLING TO, UM, IN SUPPORT OF A TAX RATE ELECTION.
AND I STRONGLY AM URGING YOU COUNCIL.
I, I VERY MUCH AGREE THAT WE NEED TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO GET MORE TAX REVENUE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A MORE SUPPORTIVE BUDGET.
AND I'M CONSTANTLY SEEING THE NEED TO REALLOCATE FUNDING.
THAT'S, WE CANNOT TAKE BACK FROM THE POLICE BUDGET TO GO TOWARDS OTHER SERVICES THAT YOU'VE HEARD.
PUBLIC SAFETY MENTIONED A LOT.
PUBLIC SAFETY IN ITS TRUEST FORM.
IF WE GO TO THE ROOT, IT COMES FROM BEING ABLE TO MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS.
AND SO I AM SUPPORTIVE OF EXPLORING WAYS TO DO THAT, AND I'M REALLY URGING COUNSEL TO THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE PUT MORE EQUITY INTO A TAX RATE INCREASE.
YOU'VE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND CHALLENGES TO LIVE IN THE CITY, AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD JUST DO A BLANKET TAX ACROSS PROPERTY.
LIKE PROPERTY TAXES ARE ALREADY PUSHING PEOPLE OUT OF THE CITY, DISPLACING PEOPLE, AND INCREASING THIS UNAFFORDABILITY.
[00:35:01]
HOW CAN WE GET CREATIVE AND HAVE HIGHER TAX RATES BASED ON CORPORATIONS, BASED ON FOLKS WHO HAVE HIGHER INCOMES OR WHERE ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY THINK ABOUT EQUITY THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT PRIVILEGES EITHER INDIVIDUALS OR I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT CORPORATIONS.THERE ARE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATIONS IN AUSTIN, IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.
SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN FUNDING THE GENOCIDE THAT'S HAPPENING IN PALESTINE.
AND SO I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE US TO FIND CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES, WORK WITH LAWYERS, WORK WITH CONSULTANTS, UM, WORK WITH COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW CAN WE HAVE A MORE EQUITABLE TAX RATE INCREASE INSTEAD OF DISPLACING PEOPLE.
MR. MURRAY, ARE YOU THERE? CAN YOU PLEASE UNMUTE? OKAY.
WE'LL HAVE HIM BACK IN A SECOND.
ABBY, ARE YOU THERE? JOHN MURRAY? YES.
I'M A CONSTITUENT OF, UH, DISTRICT SIX.
UM, I'M HERE TO, TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, THE BIG, UH, BUDGET DEFICIT.
BUT THE, THE POINT TO MAKE IS THAT THE CITY IS ALREADY IN DEBT OVER ONE, UH, $11 BILLION.
UH, SO MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE TO INCREASE DEBT IN TAXES IF WE CAN DETERMINE THE MOST EFFICACIOUS WAY TO SPEND TAX DOLLARS AND ELIMINATE BAD FUTURE INVESTMENTS.
SO IS THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT USING THE BASIC ANALYSIS TOOLS LIKE ZERO BASED BUDGETING, COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, AND FORCED RANK BUDGETING ON EVERY BUDGET ITEM? AND DO THE VOTERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE RESEARCH AND SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SO WE CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE WE, UH, LOOKED AT OUR COMM COMMITMENT TO BUILD A NEW CONVENTION CENTER? UM, THE MAR FOREST EDGES ARE SAYING THAT THERE'S AN ERA OF LARGE IN-PERSON GATHERINGS OVER THE TECHNOLOGY, UH, NOW IS ALLOWING REMOTE VIRTUAL ONES.
HISTORICALLY, LESS THAN 2% OF AUSTIN VISITORS HAVE COME HERE FOR CONVENTIONS, WAS EVEN WITHOUT A FINAL DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND SUBSEQUENT FIRM CONTRACTOR BID YOUR OFFICE SAYING THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER, IT'S GONNA COST AROUND 1.6 BILLION, BUT YOUR OFFICE IS DOWNPLAYING THE MORE THAN 5.6 BILLION TAXPAYER COMMITMENT THAT IS QUESTIONABLE RETURNS OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS.
MAYBE THIS MONEY COULD BE BETTER SPELLED EL ELSEWHERE.
SO IS IT LAW OR JUST COMMON SENSE THAT OF THIS EXPENDITURE, THIS MAGNITUDE TO BUILD A NEW CONVENTION CENTER THAT CANNOT MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT VOTERS FIRST OFFERING OVERSIGHT AND PUTTING THIS VOTER ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION? UM, THAT'S WHAT MAYOR WATSON DID THE FIRST TIME WE TALKED, AND I THINK THAT'S A HEALTHY THING TO DO.
LET'S DO WHAT MAYOR WATSON DID IN THE FIRST TIME, PUT IT ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE A, UH, CONVENTION CENTER, UH, REBUILD OR NOT.
UM, I'M CALLING AND I'M SPEAKING AS A MEMBER OF ASME 1624.
UM, I'M ALSO A RESIDENT RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO, BUT, UH, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE A TRE LEVEL THAT SUPPORTS OUR UNION GOALS FOR PROGRESSIVE COLA, AVOIDING STAFF LAYOFFS AND RESTORING ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN EXISTENTIALLY THREATENED BY FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS.
THAT MEANS AT LEAST OF SEVENTH AN INCREASE AND POSSIBLY EIGHT OR MORE DEPENDING, ESPECIALLY DEPENDING ON CURRENT STATE BILLS THAT WERE FILED YESTERDAY.
UH, WE HAVE TO DO THIS TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND STAFFING FOR THE CITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF ARTIFICIAL AUSTERITY FORCED BY THE STATE AND WILD RECKLESS CUTS FROM THE, UH, THE FAR RIGHT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW.
IF CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT THE TRE ADEQUATE TO SHORE UP THE CITY AGAINST THESE ATTACKS ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR, I CAN PROMISE THAT I, AND MANY OF MY UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS WILL CANVAS AND DO OUTREACH TO HELP GET TO PASS BY THE VOTERS.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC CITIZENS TEXAS OFFICE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
UH, WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF A TAX RATE ELECTION, ALTHOUGH IT IS A DIFFICULT CHOICE TO MAKE, TO RAISE TAXES ON
[00:40:01]
PROPERTY OWNERS.IT IS CLEAR FROM THE BUDGET INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN SHARED SO FAR THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICES AND KIND OF KEEP AUSTIN MOVING IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE MAJORITY OF AUSTINITES DO EXPECT.
AND ONE AREA THAT I HAVE NOTICED THAT IS, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK LACKING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AS IT FRANKLY HAS BEEN IN THE PAST, IS INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE ACTION EFFORTS TO ACTUALLY REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN LINE WITH THE CITY'S ESTABLISHED GOAL TO GET TO NET NET ZERO BY 2040.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO ADD STAFFS AT A TIME LIKE THIS WHEN THERE IS REALLY VERY LITTLE MONEY TO GO AROUND, AND THAT IS PART OF WHY WE ARE SUPPORTING A TAX RATE ELECTION.
AND DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE BOLD IN, YOU KNOW, WHEN SETTING THAT MAXIMUM RATE AND TRUST THAT VOTERS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A MATTER OF GETTING WHAT WE PAY FOR.
AND, UM, YES, MORE DOES NEED TO BE DONE TO HELP THOSE WHO MAYBE DO NOT HAVE AS MUCH ABILITY TO PAY.
AND THE STATE HAS OBVIOUSLY PUT A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS ON CITIES, INCLUDING AUSTIN AND HOW THAT CAN BE DONE.
BUT PART OF THAT IS ABOUT PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ARE EQUITABLE.
AND THERE IS A LOT OF, UM, THAT IN THE AUSTIN CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN, UM, THAT WE COULD BE DOING MORE ON TO HELP THOSE WITH LESS RESOURCES, ACCESS DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, UM, IN A MORE EQUITABLE WAY.
SO, UH, I, I DO, UH, ENCOURAGE YOU TO, TO BE BOLD AND TO THINK ABOUT THE COMMITMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE OVER THE PAST YEARS, UM, WHEN IT COMES TO A WHOLE BUNCH OF ISSUES, BUT INCLUDING CLIMATE ACTION WHEN YOU ARE SETTING THAT MAXIMUM.
ABBY, ARE YOU THERE? OKAY, I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER TO IN PERSON SPEAKERS NOW.
AND AS BEFORE, I'M GONNA CALL SEVERAL NAMES AT, AT THE TIME, AT ONE TIME.
IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, SIT BY THE PODIUM AND JUST SAY STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE RECORD WHEN YOU BEGIN.
JAY HAM, BRADEN, BRADEN SUMMERS.
I ATTENDED MY TOWN HALL LAST NIGHT.
THE MAYOR PRO TEM WAS ASKED WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE PROPERTY TAXES AREN'T RAISED.
AND SHE REPLIED, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.
EXCUSE ME, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
THE MAYOR PRO TEM CLAIMS THAT AFFORDABILITY IS A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS.
THIS COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES THE CITY'S NEEDS, PUBLIC SAFETY, HOMELESS SOLUTIONS, GREEN SPACES, ELECTRICITY AND WATER, BUT RESIDENCY FAILED POLICIES YEAR AFTER YEAR.
IF YOU'RE TRULY COMMITTED TO MAKING AUSTIN AFFORDABLE, YOU MUST ABANDON THE TAX RATE ELECTION.
RAISING PROPERTY TAXES IS A SHORT-SIGHTED RESPONSE TO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, AND IT IGNORES THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES RESIDENTS FACE.
AUSTINITES ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST NON-MORTGAGE DEBT OF ANY MAJOR CITY IN THIS COUNTRY.
RENTS HERE ARE HIGHER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN TEXAS, YET THIS COUNCIL PROPOSES MORE TAXES.
THIS ISN'T LEADERSHIP, IT'S A BETRAYAL OF THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE.
THE CITY'S DECLINING SALES TAX REVENUE IS UNIQUE TO AUSTIN.
IT'S NOT INFLATION, NOT TARIFFS.
TEXANS ARE SPENDING JUST NOT IN AUSTIN.
INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO BOOST CONSUMER SPENDING AND KINDLE LOCAL BUSINESSES, THIS COUNCIL LAYS BLAME AND OPTS FOR THE EASY WAY OUT.
TAX RESIDENTS, MORE BURDEN AUSTINITES WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S IRRESPONSIBLE BUDGET PROPOSAL.
THIS COUNCIL'S CLAIM THAT A MAXIMUM TAX RATE IS JUST A CEILING AND INSPIRES NO CONFIDENCE.
A 7 CENT INCREASE IS MORE THAN $20 A MONTH.
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO CUT IN OUR BUDGETS TO AFFORD THAT? THAT'S A DOZEN EGGS A WEEK.
WE CAN'T AFFORD $20 A DAY FOR LUNCH AND WE CAN'T AFFORD $20 A MONTH FOR NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
AUSTIN DESERVES BETTER THAN TAX RATE INCREASES.
FOCUS ON REAL SOLUTIONS, CUT SPENDING AND NURTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF AFSCME LOCAL 1624.
WE REPRESENT EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
I KNOW THAT THIS VOTE TODAY HAS KIND OF BEEN TALKED ABOUT AS PROCEDURAL, BUT I DON'T REALLY SEE IT THAT WAY BECAUSE WE'RE
[00:45:01]
GOING TO SIGNAL TODAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO A TAX RATE ELECTION, ONE THAT WE KNOW IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT CITY SERVICES IN THE CITY'S WORKFORCE.AFSCME IS COMING AT THIS ISSUE WITH EYES WIDE OPEN.
WE DO NOT THINK IT'S A MATTER OF WILL THERE BE LAYOFFS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A MATTER OF WHEN IF WE DO NOT PASS THE TAX RATE ELECTION.
UM, WE WONDER WHAT IF THIS IS A BALANCED BUDGET THIS YEAR, WHEN IT'S ON THE BACKS OF A PH REDUCTION IN FORCE AND VACANCIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
WHAT DOES A BALANCED BUDGET LOOK LIKE IN 2027 OR 2028? BUT WE'RE READY TO DO THIS.
WE KNOW IT'S THE PATH FORWARD.
THAT'S THE SOUND THAT AUSTIN VOTERS ARE GONNA HEAR ON THEIR DOORS WHEN OUR MEMBERS ARE GOING AROUND TALKING TO THEM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND THE SERVICES THAT THEY COUNT ON.
BUT WE NEED COMMITMENTS FROM YOU.
IF WE'RE GONNA DO THIS WORK, WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS TRE IS GONNA TAKE CARE OF CITY STAFF.
IT'S GONNA TAKE CARE OF UNSWORN STAFF.
WE NEED A PROGRESSIVE COLA THIS YEAR, PROGRESSIVE COST OF LIVING.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED THE TRE TO ENSURE THERE'RE GONNA BE NO LAYOFFS FOR ANY CITY STAFF.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE TRE IS GOING TO FUND ALL CITY SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE AFFECTED BY FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THERE'S GONNA BE COLAS FOR FUTURE YEARS.
0% COLAS NEXT YEAR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
AND LASTLY, WE WANT YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CITY'S REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO.
HOW CAN IT BE USED TO AFFECT THESE BUDGET DECISIONS? WHERE CAN WE FIND SAVINGS? WHERE CAN WE FIND MONEY? SO SEND THE MESSAGE TODAY THAT A TRE IS COMING GO FOR THE MAX RATE.
IF THIS IS PROCEDURAL, GIVE YOURSELVES THE ROOM TO WORK WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, SET IT AT 8% THE 0.60 RATE.
AND LET'S BEGIN TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A BIG TRE THIS YEAR.
I'M STEPPING AWAY FROM WORK FOR A MOMENT TO SPEAK ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
UH, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE BECAUSE THE BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT OR REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES OF OUR CITY.
WE MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT SACRIFICING OUR NEIGHBORS AND INVESTMENTS IN THE PUBLIC GOOD.
AND WE KNOW WE CAN DO IT AGAIN WITHOUT A ROBUST TAX RATE ELECTION.
THE CITY WILL BE SET UP FOR A FISCAL CLIFF IN 2027.
WE'LL BE FORCED TO TURN TO INCREASES IN UTILITY FEES AND OTHER REGRESSIVE FORMS OF TAXATION.
WITH EVERY DECISION WE MAKE, WE MUST ASK HOW MUCH INCLUSION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY WHAT WE DO.
HOW MUCH EXCLUSION DO WE CREATE? ARE WE A PLACE WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN COME TOGETHER AS EQUALS? ARE WE CREATING A COMMUNITY OF CARE? THE CURRENT PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD SEE CUTS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MULTIPLE PUBLIC HEALTH CONTRACTS, EMS SERVICES, MEANING INCREASED RESPONSE TIMES, PARKS AND POOLS, ANIMAL SERVICES FUNDING, AND AN OVERALL DECREASE IN QUALITY OF LIFE.
IN, IN, UH, THROUGHOUT AUSTIN.
WE KNOW THAT STABILITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND AMIDST THE CHAOS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE CONTINUED HOSTILITY OF STATE GOVERNMENT ONLY, WE CAN KEEP US SAFE.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THIS AND KEEP OUR CITY GOING FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
A STRONG TRE WOULD ALLOW FOR US TO CORRECT THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IMPOSED ON US BY THE STATE'S 2019 BUDGET LAW FUND, THE DEEPLY FELT NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE TRUE PUBLIC STABILITY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.
IT WOULD ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE VITAL INVESTMENTS IN DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS, FOOD PANTRIES, PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES WHO WOULD HELP ENSURE THAT EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE CAN'T TRADE THESE PRIORITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER.
IF WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO AUTHORIZE A STRONG TRE COVERING, UH, MAXIMUM 8 CENT INCREASE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
HELLO, I'M BEN SOTHEBY, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, PROUD MEMBER OF AFSCME 1624.
I'M GONNA ECHO A LOT WHAT OF WHAT HAS JUST BEEN SAID.
UM, I THINK THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE UNION THAT I'M PROUD TO, TO BE A PART OF, UH, WILL BE OUT THERE TALKING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AS WE ALREADY ARE ABOUT THE PRIORITIES THAT OUR COMMUNITY FEELS, UH, NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS ITEM WE'RE SETTING, UH, YOU'RE SETTING A, A MAXIMUM THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED.
UH, I WILL NOTE THAT LAST YEAR IN, YOU KNOW, THIS VERSION IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, THAT ITEM WAS TAKEN UP TOGETHER WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, YOU'RE GONNA BE SETTING IT NOW IN THE MORNING BEFORE WE GET TO THE THREE O'CLOCK ITEM OVER HERE FROM MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE.
SO I'M GONNA ASK THAT YOU SET A VERY HIGH CEILING ON THIS TO ALLOW FOR THAT DECISION TO ZERO IN WHERE WHETHER IT'S SEVEN, 8 CENTS, SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.
UH, I HEARD CONCERNS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE'S THAT GONNA COME FROM? I'LL BE HONEST, I'M GONNA BE KNOCKING IN FAVOR OF PEOPLE VOTING FOR THIS.
THIS IS MY, THIS IS MY P TERRY'S ORDER, MY REGULAR ORDER.
AND IT IS, YOU KNOW, 20, 24, 46, UH, RIGHT, RIGHT THERE IN BETWEEN SEVEN AND 8 CENTS.
I WILL FOREGO MY MONTHLY P TERRYS DAILY P TERRYS I WILL FEE, I WILL FOREGO THIS TO PAY FOR YOUR LIBRARY, TO PAY FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE.
THAT'S THAT SIDEWALK THAT GETS YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC.
OUR COMMUNITY WILL COME TOGETHER.
[00:50:01]
CONFIDENT WE'LL COME TOGETHER AND, AND COUNTER THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRYING TO DEFUND US.WE, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE CUTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS THAT'S NOT ALLOWABLE.
WE CAN'T SURVIVE IF WE START CUTTING THINGS THAT KEEP US HEALTHY AND KEEP US IN A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO, TO, TO LIVE IN.
SO I URGE YOU SET A VERY HIGH CEILING SO THAT YOU CAN, SO YOU CAN REALLY PINPOINT IT.
DON'T, DON'T TIE YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.
UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M HEARING FROM MANY OTHER PEOPLE SHALL LET GO.
CAROL GUTHRIE WITH AFSCME LOCAL 1624.
WE NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND FUND THE SERVICES THAT THE CI CITIZENS OF AUSTIN EXPECT.
UM, I JUST HEARD ON MY WAY OVER HERE THAT THE LEDGE IS CONSIDERING LOWERING THE CAP TO 2.5.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF WE PLANNED FOR THAT, BUT I THINK WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PLAN FOR THAT.
SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SET THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED HERE TODAY.
AND THEN WE HAVE SOME ROOM TO WORK THINGS OUT.
HELLO, MY NAME IS SCOTT COBB AND I SUPPORT A TAX RATE ELECTION AT THE HIGHEST RATE.
I THINK IT IS, UH, ABSURD THAT THE EXTREME RIGHT-WING EXTREMIST IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE HAVE IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON HOW WE CAN GOVERN OURSELVES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE FASCIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE, PARTICULARLY THE BILLIONAIRE WHO LIKES TO MAKE NAZI SALUTES LEADING CUTS IN PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT CUT PROTECTIONS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, CUT ACCESS TO FOOD BANKS.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AT A LOCAL LEVEL.
THIS IS HOW WE OPPOSE WHAT IS GOING ON AND BEING IMPOSED UPON US BY WASHINGTON AND BY THE RIGHT WING EXTREMIST IN THE LEGISLATURE.
SO I SUPPORT A HIGH LEVEL OF INCREASED TAXES AT THE RATE OF 7 CENTS TO 10 CENTS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN FROM OUTSIDE FORCES THAT ARE TRYING TO PREVENT US FROM LIVING THE LIVES THAT WE KNOW THAT WE ALL DESERVE.
AND SO I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE HIGHEST LEVEL INCREASE AND PUT IT TO THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS, THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, BECAUSE I KNOW THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN WILL SUPPORT YOU AND WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
AND WE WILL STAND UP TO WHAT WE ARE BEING FACED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND FROM THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.
CONTINUING ON WITH ITEM TWO, SHARON BLYTHE, KATHLEEN MITCHELL, ASHLEY KRAUSE, MARK PHILLY, ANDREW HAIRSTON.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND TAKE A SEAT.
WHY DON'T WE START WITH MS. BLYTHE? GO AHEAD.
SHARON BLYTHE, UM, PRESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX, UM, I HAD PUT IN A REQUEST TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL, SEVERAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHAT DOLLAR AMOUNT IS INVOLVED WITH A 4% FOR YOUR CITY EMPLOYEES? 4% NEVER COULD GET THAT ANSWER.
ASK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.
AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO HEAR THIS IS $44 MILLION JUST FOR THAT ONE ITEM.
THERE'S NO ATTACHMENT TO THAT RAISE AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE.
[00:55:01]
WE GET BETTER CITY SERVICES FOR THESE PEOPLE, JUST GIVE IT TO THEM EVERY YEAR.AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR $33 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.
DON'T GIVE THEM A 4% EVERY YEAR, CUT IT BACK 1%, 2% OR NOTHING BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT PERFORMING, THEY DON'T BELIEVE THEY DON'T DESERVE A RAISE.
AND Y'ALL JUST DO IT WILLY NILLY.
CUT THE BUDGET SCREAM, YOU HAVE A BUDGET DEFICIT, WANT A TRE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE TO FUND THAT, THAT IS LUDICROUS AND YOU ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT NOT DOING A TRE.
I'M A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER IN THE RECORDING SECRETARY FOR AFSCME 1624.
I'M AN EMPLOYEE OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT I'M SPEAKING YOU TO YOU TODAY.
AS AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE CITY, I'M GONNA GO OFF SCRIPT AND SAY THAT I PERFORM EVERY DAY AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED 4% RAISES EVERY YEAR.
I WISH, UH, AFSCME 1624 SUPPORTS ITEM TWO BECAUSE THE MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE BEGINS THIS CONVERSATION THAT ALLOWS THE CITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY THE SERVICES MOST ENJOYED BY AUSTINITES, BUT THE MUCH NEEDED SERVICES PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENTS LIKE HOUSING, HOMELESS STRATEGIES, PUBLIC HEALTH, THE LIBRARY AND PARKS.
I KNOW THAT TAX INCREASES ARE UNPOPULAR, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT AUSTIN IS THAT THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS GENEROUS AND WANTS A FAIR AND EQUITABLE CITY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS.
THE REASON AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE ON THIS ITEM IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE AT A TIME WHERE RANK AND FILE WORKERS ARE CONTINUALLY BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS, WE NEED THE SUPPORT.
I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE MONEY FOR THE WORK DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE WORK STOPS.
IT JUST GETS HARDER IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH FEDERAL GRANTS PROVIDES MEDICATION THAT QUITE LITERALLY SAVES LIVES WITHOUT THEIR MEDICATION, OUR NEIGHBORS WILL DIE.
I DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN MY LIFE WHO WOULDN'T GIVE A FEW MORE PENNIES TO SAVE A LIFE.
AND FINALLY, THIS ITEM FURTHER SUPPORTS THE WORKERS, PARTICULARLY NON-CONTRACTED CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WHO DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO EXPECT A WAGE INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR.
I HAVE HEARD FROM CITY LEADERSHIP THAT THE PROBLEM WITH A PROGRESSIVE WAGE INCREASE IS COMPRESSION.
AND I IMPLORE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WE CAN EVENTUALLY SOLVE COMPRESSION, BUT WE MUST FIRST CONFRONT THE OPPRESSION AND INDIGNITY IN WHICH SO MANY OF US CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY WE PROUDLY SERVE.
THANK YOU TO MY UNION SIBLINGS ON THE DIOCESE TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
I'M A D UH, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT IN THE FAR NORTHWEST.
UM, I COME TO YOU AS MYSELF AND NOT SPEAKING ON ANY EMPLOYER OR ORGANIZATION I'M A MEMBER OF.
SO, UM, WITH TAX INCREASE AND ALL THIS STUFF, YOU'D BE SURPRISED SOMEONE LIVING IN WESTLAKE WOULD ACTUALLY WANT MORE TAXES, BUT YES.
UM, SO MY STORY TO TELL IS SIX YEARS AGO I FINALIZED MY DIVORCE, VERY DIFFICULT SINGLE DAD OF THREE KIDS, AND I HAD NOT PLANNED OUT SUMMER.
I WAS SO BUSY TRYING TO MAKE THE FAMILY WORK AND MY JOB AND FINISH UP A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT DIVORCE.
AND I DIDN'T HAVE A SUMMER PLAN.
AND I WAS TOLD BY OTHER PARENTS, OH, YOU SHOULD DO THIS, THESE AWESOME THINGS THAT THE, THE ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN AND THE, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT, BUT THE OTHER, THE SCIENCE SLASH LIKE NATURE PLACE THERE, IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AND I HAD A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME FINDING SOMEPLACE FOR MY THREE KIDS TO GO FOR SUMMER WHERE I WASN'T SPENDING SEVEN HOURS A DAY DRIVING.
AND SO I HAD ONLY ONE OPTION THAT SUMMER ON THE VERY FAR EAST OF TOWN.
IT WAS, UM, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA, LIKE IT WORKED OUT.
BUT IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE LIKE ALL OF THE, THE GOOD PROGRAMS FROM LIKE THE CITY STUFF THAT I COULD, THAT THEY WANTED TO GO TO, LIKE JUST, THERE WASN'T AN OPENING IN MAY WHEN I WAS LIKE, I GOTTA DO SOMETHING.
SO THESE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AS LIKE, AS A PARENT.
AND WHILE MY KIDS HAVE AGED OUT OF A LOT OF THOSE, I HAVE A LOT OF COWORKERS WHO'VE GOT LITTLE KIDS NOW AND THEY'RE ASKING ME, WHAT DO I DO? I'M LIKE, WELL, THERE'S THE SWIMMING THINGS AND THE, AND THE NATURE PARK.
AND LIKE THERE'S ALL THESE THINGS THAT THE CITY DOES HAVE AND THEY'RE LIKE, OH, THIS IS GREAT.
I'M LIKE, WELL, SO, SO I HOPE THAT THOSE ARE THERE FOR THE BUSY AND GROWING CITY THAT WE HAVE IN AUSTIN.
I AM A LOCAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, UH, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE, AND I SPEAK
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IN SUPPORT OF THE TAX REELECTION IN NOVEMBER, 2025.I WANNA HIGHLIGHT A QUOTE FROM COUNCILMAN SIEGEL, UH, JULY 18TH, 2025 AUSTIN CHRONICLE ARTICLE IN WHICH HE SAID THAT WE NEED TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER TO MAINTAIN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN WOULD BE PUSHED TO DO THAT AFTER WE SEE THE BUDGET.
INDEED, COUNCIL, WE NEED TO DIG DEEPER.
WE RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL THINGS LIKE THE HOUSING TRUST FUND ARE IN JEOPARDY IN THIS CURRENT BUDGET.
WE NEED THIS FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, OUR RENT BURDEN NEIGHBORS, FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND FACING EVICTIONS QUITE OFTEN WE NEED IT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE UNADDRESSED IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC AND TRYING TO HEAL FROM IT, WHO MIGHT BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL, WHO ARE SHOWING UP INJUSTICE COURTS AND DEALING WITH SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
AND THEN WE NEED IT FOR OUR FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE DEALING WITH THE CRIMINALIZATION OF POVERTY.
THERE'S A LONG LEGACY OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY'RE FACING THE ARMS OF THE STATE BEARING DOWN UPON THEM AND CHARGING THEM WITH SMALL CLAIMS AND MISDEMEANORS.
UH, WE CAN DIG DEEP, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR FOLKS ARE TAKEN CARE OF, THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.
AND I URGE YOU AS WE CONSIDER THIS TAX REELECTION MOVING FORWARD TO THE NOVEMBER BALLOT TO REALLY CONSIDER THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE AND WHO NEED OUR SUPPORT.
CONTINUE ON WITH ITEM TWO, REESE ARMSTRONG, JEFFREY BOWEN, PAULETTE ANI, SARAH CAMPBELL, PETER HUNT.
MR. BOWEN, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND BEGIN.
UM, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A TRE ON THE, ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.
THE AMOUNT THAT'S STILL TO BE DETERMINED, BUT WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE LONG TERM THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN HERE.
AT WHAT POINT WILL THE COUNCILS OF PASSED AND THE PRESENT START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SPENDING HABITS THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE OR HAVE HAD? UM, WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO ALWAYS BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE.
YES, YOU WANNA BLAME THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY PUT A CAP ON THAT BECAUSE OF THE DEMANDS OF THE TAXPAYERS TO SAY, SOME OF THIS IS OUTTA CONTROL.
WE'VE LISTENED TO THIS FOR SIX YEARS.
AT WHAT POINT WILL YOU START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN SPENDING HABITS AND YOUR OWN ISSUES THAT YOU WANT TO PRODUCE AND, AND PROVE? AND WE HAVE MANY OF THEM THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE ACTUAL OUTCOMES HAVE BEEN OVER SOME OF THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN SPENT.
THE LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY IS ASTOUNDING TO ME.
UH, WE'VE HAD LONG-TERM NEGLECT.
WE TALK ABOUT OUR PARKS, HOW MUCH MONEY WE NEED TO GET OUR PARKS BACK UP TO STANDARD, BUT MOST OF THAT'S BEEN ALL LONG-TERM NEGLECT.
AND WHY IS THAT? IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY.
MANY OF US IN THE CITY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS, BUT YET THE CITY CAN'T SEEM TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS.
AGAIN, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT? I HEAR, I HEAR THESE PEOPLE GOING, YES, WE SHOULD BE MAXING OUT THE TAXES, BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT CANNOT AFFORD THE TAXES THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY PAYING? NOW, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR TAX ASSISTANCE? WE HAVE IT FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, SO WHY NOT FOR TAX ASSISTANCE? THE POINT OF THIS WHOLE THING IS, IS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
I'M PAULETTE SULTANI, THE CO-DIRECTOR OF LOCAL TEXAS AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE SEVEN A 7 CENT TAX RATE ELECTION.
LAST WEEK I SHARED HOW AUSTIN HAS MADE IMPORTANT PROGRESS AROUND THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, IMPROVING SHELTER QUALITY, OPENING NEW BEDS AND HOUSING.
SOME OF OUR LONGTIME LEADERS, BUT MOST AUSTINITE STILL HAVE NO CHANCE TO GET HOUSING.
THEY WAIT IN LINE FOR HOURS AT A TIME.
UH, CASE MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING PROGRAMS ARE TOTALLY OVERWHELMED AND OUR FEDERAL FUNDS ARE DRYING UP OR BEING CUT.
YESTERDAY WAS THE, WAS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICAID AND MEDICARE TWO SAFETY NET PROGRAMS THAT LIFTED MILLIONS OUTTA POVERTY.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE BEING SLASHED, HUD IS BEING SLASHED.
THESE ARE NOT NORMAL TIMES, AND NEITHER CAN YOUR LEADERSHIP BE.
WE SUPPORT THIS TAX RATE BECAUSE IT WILL BE A LIFELINE TO THE MOST MARGINALIZED PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.
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AND BECAUSE IT SUPPORTS THE OTHER NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY, IT REPLENISHES THE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT FUNDS OUR VITAL PSH VOUCHERS, AND IT HELPS BUILD A WINNING COALITION THAT SUPPORTS OUR PARKS, POOLS, ROADS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND GETS THE REVENUE THAT THEY NEED TO.EVERYONE IN AUSTIN BENEFITS FROM THIS.
IF WE'RE TRULY CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, AS SOME OF YOU HAVE SAID, IT'S TIME TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT HOW REVENUE IS RAISED AND SPENT IN AUSTIN, WHICH CORPORATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND DEVELOPERS PAY TO TO DO BUSINESS HERE AND WHO DOESN'T, WHO WE CAN'T KEEP BLAMING THE STATE.
WE HAVE TO GET CREATIVE ABOUT OUR REVENUE.
WE ALSO MUST CONFRONT OUR OWN CITY'S POLICIES THAT DRIVE THE LACK OF AFFORDABILITY.
OUR OWN HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNCHECKED, FAILING TO BUILD THE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE NEED.
FAILING TO MANAGE ROTA PROPERTIES THAT IGNORE THE POLICIES THAT ARE MEANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM EVICTIONS, FROM EXCESSIVE FEES AND DISCRIMINATION.
THE TRE SHOULD BE ONE PART OF A BROADER STRATEGY, AND WE NEED THIS STRATEGY TO BE ROOTED IN EQUITY, UH, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND REAL COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE EVERYBODY CAN LIVE IN THE CITY.
MY NAME IS PETER HUNT, BORN AND RAISED IN DISTRICT 10.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
I WANNA SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE TIER E OPTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU AND HOW THEY'VE BEEN FRAMED AND STRUCTURED.
UM, THE MANAGER HAS GIVEN COUNSEL A SET OF TRE OPTIONS IN 1 CENT INCREMENTS AS REQUESTED.
UH, BUT I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ON A PARTICULAR TIER OF THE TRE OPTIONS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY NEED TO BE PRIORITIZED IN THAT ORDER.
THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I PERSONALLY CONSIDER PRIORITIES AND ARE VERY VALUABLE, SUCH AS, UH, SO FULLY FUNDING SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, UM, AND FULLY RESTORING THE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT ARE CURRENTLY LISTED AROUND THESE SEVEN OR 8 CENT TRE LEVEL.
HOWEVER, IT'S UP TO COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHAT THE BUDGET THAT THEY WANT TO THEN APPROVE IS GOING TO BE.
AND THOSE DO NOT NEED TO BE RESTRICTED TO A TRE LEVEL AT SEVEN OR 8 CENTS.
SO THAT MEANS EITHER IF, UH, Y Y'ALL DO NOT AGREE ON A TRE AT THAT LEVEL, OR IF A TRE IS BROUGHT TO THE VOTERS AND THEN FAILS, UM, COUNCIL STILL HAS THE CAPACITY, AND I WOULD STILL ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO SUPPORT THESE SOCIAL SERVICE PRIORITIES.
UM, IT IS REALLY UP TO THE CITY AT THIS POINT TO DECIDE WHAT MATTERS.
AND THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT, UH, JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LISTED AT SEVEN OR 8 CENTS ON THESE TRE OPTIONS, THAT IT NEEDS TO BE PUSHED OFF IN FAVOR OF OTHER THINGS, AND THAT MIGHT BE TREATED AS A BASELINE BUDGET.
BUT GIVEN COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE VOTING ON AND ESTABLISHING ONE BUDGET, WHICH WILL THEN BE PRESENTED POTENTIALLY ALONG WITH THE TRE TO THE VOTERS.
WHAT GETS ACTUALLY PUT IN THERE IS COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES AND SHOULD REFLECT THE PRIORITIES OF THE VOTERS.
SO AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LISTED AT SEVEN OR 8 CENTS DOESN'T MEAN THAT'S WHERE IT NEEDS TO STAY.
UM, AND YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO APPROVE A SEVEN OR 8 CENT TRE TO CONSIDER THOSE AS TOP PRIORITIES.
THAT SHOULD BE IN THE BUDGET NO MATTER WHAT.
UM, AND AGAIN, SOME OF THOSE IN ADDITION TO SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, HOUSING TRUST FUND, ARE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES, EXCUSE ME.
AND, UH, LIBRARY MATERIALS TO DECREASE WAIT TIMES.
UM, THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE FUNDED AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER THEM AS PRIORITIES.
I'M GONNA CALL A REMOTE SPEAKER ONE MORE TIME.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING COALITION AND APOLOGIES, Y'ALL HAD TO CALL ME A COUPLE TIMES.
UM, LAST WEEK, UH, THE HOUSING COALITION SUBMITTED A LETTER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS CONSORTIUM IN SUPPORT OF A TAX RATE ELECTION.
WE'RE ENCOURAGED TO SEE THE PROPOSED TAX RATE SCENARIOS FOR 5 CENTS AND HIGHER THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR THE HOMELESS STRATEGY, OFFICE PLAN, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE LOSS OF MILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT MAY NEVER RETURN TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AUSTIN HOUSING COALITION IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND'S PROPOSAL TO UTILIZE THE REMAINING FUNDS FROM THE HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR SHELTER SERVICES AS OPPOSED TO PERMANENT HOUSING OR AS IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN USED FOR THE LOCAL HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT'S KEPT THOUSANDS OF FOLKS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IF THAT PLAN TO DRAIN THESE FUNDS PROCEEDS AS, AS DISCUSSED, WE MUST SEE THE TRE AT ANY RATE, INCLUDING DOLLARS TO THE RESTORATION AND GROWTH OF THE HOUSING TRUST FUND.
LESS THAN HOUSING COALITION RECOGNIZES THAT A TAX RATE ELECTION TRANSLATES TO, TO AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR EXISTING HOMEOWNERS AT A TIME WHEN THE COST OF LIVING IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH.
BUT OUR COMMUNITY MUST RECOGNIZE THAT A TAX RATE ELECTION THAT PROVIDES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TO REPLACE PERMANENT GAPS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THESE SERVICES WILL BENEFIT THESE HOMEOWNERS AS WELL.
WE NEED TO THINK LONG TERM AS MANY OF THE IMPACTS OF THE RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS WILL NOT BE FELT FOR A FEW YEARS, AT WHICH TIME IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO FILL THESE GAPS.
THIS IS A MOMENT TO THINK LOCALLY AND TO RECOGNIZE THE POWER THAT WE HAVE TO FUND OUR OWN BASIC NEEDS.
LAST YEAR, OUR COMMUNITY HEATED THIS CALL AND PASSED THE CHILDCARE TAX
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RATE ELECTION FUNDS FROM WHICH WILL SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF LOW COST PRE-K AND OUR COMMUNITY AS EARLY AS THIS SUMMER.PLEASE PUT A TAX RATE ELECTION ON THE BALLOT TO DO THE SAME FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, THE HOUSING TRUST FUND, AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS DECISION.
MOVING ON IN PERSON, AMANDA MARLO.
BRIAN MCGIVEN, JESUS, LAURA DANIELLA SILVA, VICTORIA SALINAS.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I RUN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY LAW CENTER, AND I WANNA TELL YOU A STORY.
LAST SUMMER, I BEGAN WORKING WITH A FAMILY LIVING OFF OF MONTOPOLIS, A MOTHER ABOUT MY AGE, WITH THREE KIDS, 11, FIVE AND FOUR.
SHE WAS EEKING BY AT HER JOB, JUST BARELY.
SHE'D RECENTLY GOTTEN A PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST HIM.
HE WAS OUTTA THE PICTURE WHEN I MET HER.
SHE WAS EXPECTING ANOTHER CHILD WHO WAS BORN AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
WHEN HER CHILD WAS BORN, SHE DIDN'T HAVE MATERNITY LEAVE, AND SO SHE COULDN'T GO TO WORK AND SHE IMMEDIATELY FELL BEHIND ON HER RENT.
NOW, AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS A SMALL TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING TO HELP HER FROM CASEY FAMILY TRYING TO HELP HER FIND A PLACE TO LAND.
SHE DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO GO WHEN THE EVICTION BECAME FINAL.
SHE AND HER, UH, ENTIRE FAMILY, INCLUDING HER NEWBORN, WE CAN'T AFFORD AUSTERITY.
WE HAVE TO PUSH BACK ON WHAT THE STATE'S TRYING TO DO.
OUR NEIGHBORS CAN'T AFFORD IT.
THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT POSITION.
I REPRESENT TOO MANY CLIENTS WHO, IF EVICTED HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.
NOW THERE AREN'T PERFECT SOLUTIONS, BUT WE DO NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN, AND THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT A TAX RATE AT THE 7 CENT LEVEL.
IT'S ALWAYS SO SCARY TO BE UP HERE.
UM, AND I'M NORMALLY VERY SUNNY IN DISPOSITION, BUT RIGHT NOW, I AM SO, SO ANGRY.
I'M ANGRY AT THE ONSLAUGHT TO OUR NATION BY AUTHORITARIANS AT A FEDERAL LEVEL, OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND BODILY AUTONOMY HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
AND NOW I'M HERE TO ASK YOU ALL THAT WE AS A CITY CAN COME TOGETHER AND SHOW SOME POLITICAL AND MORAL COURAGE TO TAKE A STAND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT A HIGH TRE THAT PREVENTS THE CUT OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT EVERYDAY AUSTINITES USE A HIGH TRE, THAT PROGRAMS THAT, SO THAT PROGRAMS THAT HELP UPLIFT OUR UNHOUSED MARGINALIZED FOLKS SO THEY'RE NOT THROWN ASIDE AND FORGOTTEN A HIGH TRE THAT STRENGTHENS OUR SOCIAL, SOCIAL SAFETY NETS THAT KEEP EVERYONE AFLOAT, WHETHER THEY USE THOSE SERVICES OR NOT.
SO I'M ASKING YOU ALL NOW, AFTER HEARING ALL OF THESE STORIES, AFTER HEARING PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND HOW IT HAS HELPED, HELPED THEM STAY AFLOAT TO NOT GO BACK TO AUSTERITY BECAUSE NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR AUSTERITY.
AUSTERITY IS WHAT GOT US, TRUMP, ELON, ABBOTT, AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC GOVERNANCE IS THERE FOR THEM.
SO I ASK YOU ALL TO SUPPORT A HIGH TREA BASELINE 7 CENTS BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES CANNOT TAKE ANYMORE.
WE ARE AT A PRECIPICE WHERE WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE IN WHAT WE DO AS A LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND WHETHER THEY ALLOW CYNICISM TO FILL THEIR HEARTS.
BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT SPEAKER MEMBERS, YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, UH, A OR, OR ARE BEING PROVIDED, UM, INFORMATION REGARDING THE, UH, CHANGES THAT WERE MADE THIS MORNING AS A RESULT OF THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT'S, UH, POSTING, UH, AND, AND THE WORK THAT THE STAFF WAS DOING FOR THE PUBLIC.
UH, THE REVISED PRESENTATION, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, THAT THE COUNCIL'S BEING HANDED, BUT THE REVISED PRESENTATION, UH, REFLECTING THE UPDATES FROM THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT HAS BEEN POSTED AS LATE BACKUP TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.
SO ANYBODY WANTS TO, TO LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S, IT'S POSTED AS LATE BACK UP TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN BACK TO THE CITY CLERK, CHARLES GIRI
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
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PLEASE GO AHEAD.I REPRESENT MYSELF AND I'M HERE, UH, TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF, UH, THE TAX RATE INCREASE.
AND AS WAS MENTIONED, RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CAP, UH, FOR THE TAX RATE.
SO I URGE YOU TO SET THE CAP AT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED SO THAT IT WILL GIVE YOU WIGGLE ROOM TO ACTUALLY SET THE RATE ONCE THE BUDGET IS DEFINED.
UH, SINCE WE DON'T KNOW THE FINAL BUDGET YET.
SO WE NEED THIS BUDGET BECAUSE AT THIS RATE, BECAUSE AS EVERYBODY MENTIONED, RIGHT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UH, IS REALLY CUTTING A LOT OF STUFF.
THE STATE IS NOT GREAT AT DOING THAT.
AND THE CITY, I DUNNO WHY APPROVED A LARGE INCREASE IN THE A PD BUDGET.
I DO UNDERSTAND IT'S DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT TAXES, UH, TAX INCREASES AS PEOPLE ALWAYS SEES THE COST, AND IT IS A COST.
BUT I DO CONSIDER MY TAX AS AN INVESTMENT IN MY COMMUNITY.
WE ARE AT A TIME WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY IS WASTING MONEY, UH, BY SENDING IT TO DETENTION CENTERS, BUT IT'S ALSO CUTTING THE TAXES OF THE VERY WEALTHY.
AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS MISUSING OUR TAX FUNDS TO GIVE IT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR WASTING IN A REDISTRICTING SESSION.
THAT IS REALLY GOING TO CUT OUR REPRESENTATION HERE, WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE USE OUR LOCAL TAXES TO REALLY HELP OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHY WHILE I SUPPORT THE TAX INCREASE, YOU'LL HEAR LATER THAT I OPPOSE THE BUDGET AS CURRENT STATED, BECAUSE IT REALLY CUT A LOT OF VITAL COMMUNITY HELP ITEMS. AND AGAIN, THE, THE SHORTFALL WAS CREATED BY THE LARGE INCREASE IN THE A PD BUDGET.
WHY DON'T WE GO TO YOU NEXT? UM, GOOD MORNING, KELLY GRM CO AGAIN AND REPRESENTING MYSELF AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN AND, AND LIFELONG RESIDENT OF CENTRAL TEXAS.
UM, I, I HAD A VERY HARD TIME TRYING TO DEFINE MFI FOR THE TRE OR NOT, BECAUSE TRULY IT ONLY MAKES MORAL SENSE DEPENDING ON WHAT COMMITMENT IT'S TIED TO.
AND IN THE CURRENT BUDGET, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS THE COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABILITY, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE VISION FOR FUTURE AUSTINITES, UM, THAT WOULD MAKE A TAX RATE INCREASE MORALLY JUSTIFIED.
SO MY HOPE IS THAT ANY, UM, ANY INCREASED FUNDING THAT COMES FROM A TAX RATE INCREASE IS REALLY COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE GOING TO NEED IT MOST.
BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, THIS IS NOT A PROGRESSIVE TAX.
IT IS GOING TO AFFECT HOMEOWNERS AND TENANTS ALIKE.
I'VE SEEN HOW EVERY, EVERY AREA OF THE CITY HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE AFFORDABLE OVER THE DECADES.
FAMILIES ARE BEING DISPLACED WHO'VE, WHO'VE LIVED IN AREAS OF AUSTIN FOR, FOR GENERATIONS.
AND IF THEY MOVE AWAY, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO COME BACK.
UH, WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMITMENT TO, UM, SERVICES FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, FOR OUR UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS, UM, FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY.
WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMITMENT TO OUR, UM, OUR PARKS AND GREEN SPACES THAT ARE GONNA MAKE THIS A WONDERFUL LIVABLE CITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TAX RATE INCREASE ON A MORAL LEVEL.
WHAT IF WE'RE INCREASING THE, A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON ALL AUSTINITES? WHAT ARE THEY GETTING OUT OF IT? AND WHAT ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE AUSTINITES GETTING OUT OF THIS? UM, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S MY TIME.
ART
I'M ALSO A CANDIDATE FOR THE DISTRICT NINE SEAT.
WE'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS ON OUR BUDGETS, UH, AND THE CITY'S BUDGET AND SPECIFICALLY, BUT YOU KNOW, WHO ELSE IS ALSO BEING AFFECTED BY THESE CUTS IS REGULAR AUSTINITES.
OUR CITIZENS IN THIS CITY ARE ALSO FEELING THE PAIN, AND I THINK IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT THING TO GO AND ASK THEM SPECIFICALLY TO DIP INTO THEIR POCKETS AND PAY EVEN MORE IN TAXES THAN WHAT THEY'RE ALREADY PAYING.
PROPERTY TAXES ARE INHERENTLY REGRESSIVE.
THEY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT LOW INCOME AUSTIN HOMEOWNERS, AND THEY INDIRECTLY ACTUALLY AFFECT TENANTS AS WELL.
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SO IF WE'RE GONNA RAISE HIS TAXES, AGAIN, WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS THIS HAS ON LOW INCOME RESIDENTS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE, THAT THE MONEY THAT'S BEING RAISED IS ACTUALLY BEING USED TO HELP A COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING TO PAY FOR IT.AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE NEED TO GET INTO A PATTERN OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
WHAT I'M SEEING IS IF WE START GETTING INTO DIPPING INTO OUR RAINY DAY FUND IN RESPONSE TO, UH, TO THESE CUTS THAT ARE BEING MADE BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, UH, A PATTERN OF MAYBE BORROWING MORE MONEY TO BUILD GIANT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT BURDEN OUR CITY'S ABILITY TO SERVICE ITS DEBTS, UH, AND FURTHER NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT, FORCING AUSTINITES TO DIP INTO THEIR POCKETS AGAIN AND AGAIN TO FUND FOR OUR SERVICES.
SO I WOULD ASK THAT IF WE DO HAVE A TRE, THAT THE LANGUAGE OF THE TRE SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATE WHAT IS GOING TO BE FUNDED WITH THIS EXTRA MONEY? IS IT GONNA BE A RENEWED COMMITMENTS TO PARKS AND GREEN SPACES? IS IT ACTUALLY GOING TO FUND HEALTHCARE? IS IT ACTUALLY GOING TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR AUSTINITES? AND THAT'S MY TIME.
REESE ARMSTRONG, PETER KIM, CHOC DE TORIN.
SO SORRY IF I DID THAT ONE WRONG, PLEASE.
HELLO, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS REESE ARMSTRONG AND I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR A TAX RATE ELECTION OF AT LEAST 7 CENTS PER $100, AND PREFERABLY EIGHT, NINE OR 10 CENTS.
WE MUST NOT SUCCUMB TO AUSTERITY AS A RESULT OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WE KNOW WILL HIT WORKING CLASS PEOPLE THE HARDEST THAT RELY ON THESE CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES.
AND TO ADDRESS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, IT IS A RAINY DAY.
WE ARE LIVING UNDER A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND A STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IS CUTTING SERVICES AT EVERY TURN, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THOSE CRUCIAL SERVICES TO ALL KNIGHTS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE RESIDENTS AT CITY AUSTIN AND CITY WORKERS MUST NOT SUFFER FROM THE COUNCIL'S AWFUL DECISION TO PASS A $300 MILLION PERMANENT POLICE INCREASE THAT GOES INTO TERRORIZING OUR COMMUNITIES WHEN WE DESPERATELY NEED SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, PARKS, AND MORE PASS A TRE AT A MINIMUM OF 7 CENTS.
I'M A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA AND LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE ON A TAX RATE ELECTION IN SUPPORT OF IT.
UH, SET IT TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT.
UH, WE CAN'T FACE THE FISCAL CLIFF AND WE SHOULDN'T DO IT AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC GOODS AND SERVICES.
UM, THAT WOULD ONLY, UH, ENABLE THE NARRATIVE OF THE FAR RIGHT AND THAT IS ANTITHETICAL TO GOVERNMENT DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN SOLIDARITY.
UM, THERE'S MORE TO THE COST OF LIVING, UH, THAN WOULD IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND AS A RENTER, I DUNNO EVERYTHING ABOUT THE HOUSE I LIVE IN AND LANDLORDS CAN TAKE TIME TO FIX ISSUES.
I'VE FACED EXPENSIVE BILLS DUE TO LEAKS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE OLDER THAN MY TIME AS A TENANT.
I'M LUCKY THAT THE CITY HAS ASSISTANCE FOR SITUATIONS LIKE THAT.
COST OF LIVING INCLUDES EMERGENCIES.
IT'S NOT WHAT IMMEDIATELY JUST COMES TO MIND.
THE FAR RIGHT IS MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS THAT HARM US.
OUR LEADERS, LIKE YOU GUYS FIGHTING THE FAR RIGHT, MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT PROTECT US AND IMPROVE OUR LIVES.
AND WE'RE HEARING IT OVER AND OVER.
SO JUST PLEASE LISTEN TO THE VOTERS.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS PETER KIM.
UH, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE, AND I'M ALSO HERE SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF A TAX RATE ELECTION.
UM, I'M A HOMEOWNER IN AUSTIN, AND THE REASON I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF IT IS BECAUSE WE'RE IN A CRISIS RIGHT NOW.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET CAUGHT UP WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR, UH, THE 20 25, 20 26 FISCAL YEAR.
AND I'M STILL REALLY FUZZY ON THE DETAILS, BUT WHAT'S BEEN REALLY STICKING OUT TO ME IS THE NOTE THAT WE'RE BEGINNING THIS BUDGET CYCLE WITH A $33 MILLION SHORTFALL.
SO IF WE DON'T INCREASE TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHORTFALL, THE ONLY OTHER MEANS OF RECONCILING THIS HOLE IN THE BUDGET WILL BE TO CUT SERVICES.
AND FRANKLY, I JUST DON'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE PUBLIC SAFETY NET IN TEXAS IS ALREADY SO SMALL.
UH, I MEAN, FACE IT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE OF TEXAS JUST REALLY HATE REGULAR TEXANS.
IF YOU'RE A RENTER, THE STATE BANS RENT CONTROL.
IF YOU'RE A WORKER, THE STATE HAS OUTLAWED YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE A WATER BREAK.
EVEN IF YOU WORK OUTSIDE IN TEXAS, HEAT, IF YOU'RE HOMELESS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS JUST ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, CRIMINALIZING YOUR VERY EXISTENCE AND SAYS THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR YOU AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE TO HAVE YOU COMMITTED AN INSTITUTIONALIZED AGAINST YOUR WILL.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY SLASHED $50 MILLION IN FLOOD MITIGATION GRANTS, EVEN IN THE WAKE OF THE KERRVILLE FLOODS, AND $15 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH GRANTS AT A TIME WHEN OUR STATE IS BECOMING THE MEASLES CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN ISN'T PERFECT, BUT FOR THOSE OF US LIVING HERE BECAUSE OF THE VALUES THAT ITS CITIZENRY ESPOUSES, IT FILLS IN A LOT OF THE GAPS THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REFUSE TO PROVIDE AND ARE ACTIVELY CUTTING AWAY.
[01:25:01]
IF WE'RE UNABLE TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS, UH, THAT PROVIDE EMERGENCY HOUSING, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE, UH, THOSE PROGRAMS THAT FUND OUR AMAZING PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM ARE PARKS, THEN WE ARE JUST SEEDING MORE AND MORE GROUND TO THE OLIGARCHICAL AGENDA, WHICH IS TO HOLLOW OUT EVERY PUBLIC GOOD IN SERVICE AND REPLACE 'EM WITH CRAPPIER PRIVATIZED VERSIONS THAT YOU NEED TO PAY INDIVIDUALIZED SUBSCRIPTION FEES FOR.UM, SO YEAH, THAT'S WHY I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF A TAX RATE ELECTION AND I URGE YOU TO PUT IT TO THE VOTERS.
MAYOR, ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR TWO, UH, MEMBERS.
YOU JUST HEARD THAT ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.
SO WE'VE HEARD THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
UH, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO IS
[1. Presentation and discussion of the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Budget.]
WE GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER ONE AND WE CALL UP OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF FOR THEM TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER ONE.UH, ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS, UH, AN ITEM THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON, AGAIN FOR THE, UH, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
UH, THERE WERE SOME CHANGES FROM THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT THIS MORNING, SO OUR STAFF'S BEEN WORKING ON THAT TO, UH, MAKE THIS PRESENTATION, IF YOU GO TO THE BACKUP FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE, IN TODAY'S AGENDA, YOU WILL SEE THE PRESENTATION AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE A COPY OF THE PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF YOU.
CARRIE LANG, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR THE PRESENTATION THIS MORNING.
OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ERIC NELSON, WILL BE PROVIDING THE INFORMATION.
UH, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
ERIC NELSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
UH, NEVER A DULL MOMENT AS THE MAYOR, JUST NO KIDDING,
WE RECEIVED AN UPDATE THAT WILLIAMS COUNTY NEEDED TO, UH, CORRECT IT.
NEW CONSTRUCTION VALUE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THAT THAT'S THE PART THAT WE'RE HELD HARMLESS FOR.
SO IT HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR REVENUE, UM, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE REFLECT THAT.
SO WE'RE SORRY FOR THE DELAY, BUT WE DID GET AN EXTRA $250,000.
WE'LL WAIT IT ALL DAY FOR GOOD NEWS.
SO UPDATED BASED ON THE LATEST GREATEST, AND I HOPE FINAL NUMBERS.
BUT IT'S, UH, NOT AS SIZABLE AS A DECREASE AS WE WERE ORIGINALLY PROJECTING.
UM, AND EVEN BETTER NEWS, UH, THE TOTAL NEW IMPROVEMENT VALUE WAS THREE AND A HALF BILLION.
UM, THAT'S PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THIS WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHANGE, BUT, UM, IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE TCA IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL $1.1 BILLION IN NEW VALUE BETWEEN, UH, THE TIME THEY SENT OUT THEIR NOTICES IN APRIL AND THE TIME THAT WE RECEIVED THE CERTIFICATION.
IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATION FOR THE CITY, THE FINAL VOTER APPROVAL RATE WILL BE 0.5 2 4 0 1 7, WHICH IS, UH, A LITTLE BIT LOWER THAN THE 0.5276, WE WERE PROJECTING.
AND THAT'S A FUNCTION OF THE VALUE BEING A BIT HIGHER.
A TYPICAL HOMEOWNER VALUE IS, UH, A COUPLE POINTS LOWER THAN WE WERE PROJECTING, UH, DUE TO SUCCESSFUL PROTESTS BY HOMEOWNERS.
SO THAT'S COMING IN A LITTLE BIT UNDER $500,000.
FINALLY, WHEN WE ROLL ALL THESE UP AND APPLY THE NEW RATE TO THE NEW VALUE, IT RESULTS IN AN ADDITIONAL FIVE AND A QUARTER MILLION, UH, IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR THE GENERAL FUND AT THAT VOTER APPROVAL RATE, TRANSLATING THAT NEW RATE AND THAT NEW TYPICAL HOMEOWNER VALUE INTO AN IMPACT FOR OUR TYPICAL HOMEOWNER.
UM, WE'VE UPDATED THIS CHART AND YOU CAN SEE, UH, WE WERE ORIGINALLY PROJECTING 7.9% INCREASE FOR PROPERTY TAX BILLS FOR A TYPICAL HOMEOWNER, AND NOW THAT'S DOWN TO 5.3%.
AND OUR OVERALL BASKET OF RATES, FEES, AND TAXES FOR THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER IS NOW PROJECTED TO BE A 4% INCREASE.
UM, TO EASE COMPARISON WITH THE FOLLOWING SLIDES IS ALSO INCLUDED THE ANNUAL TOTAL.
AND I JUST WANT TO NOTE, IF YOU MULTIPLY EVERYTHING BY 12, IT WON'T QUITE GET YOU TO THAT BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE THAT BOTTOM LINE INCLUDES THE ACTUAL ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX BILL, AND THERE'S SOME ROUNDING THAT GOES ON WHEN WE TRANSLATE THAT TO A MONTHLY NUMBER.
[01:30:01]
CONSIDERATION OF A PROSPECTIVE TAX RATE ELECTION.THESE ARE THE TAX IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF INCREASE ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE.
AND WE'VE COMPARED THAT BOTH VERSUS THE BASE BUDGET, WHAT JUST YOUR TAX BILL INCREASE WOULD BE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
AND THEN WHAT THAT TOTAL BASKET OF RATES, FEES, AND TAXES WOULD BE FROM YEAR TO YEAR, UH, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PENNIES, UH, WE CHOSE TO GO ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE.
AND FINALLY, UH, THIS SHOWS THE ACTUAL RATES, UM, YOU WOULD WANT TO, UH, SET AS THE MAX TAX RATE, DEPENDING HOW MANY PENNIES YOU WANT TO CONSIDER, AND SHOWS YOU HOW THAT COMPARES TO THAT 3.5% LEVEL.
WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT, ROUGHLY SPEAKING, EACH ADDITIONAL PENNY IS ABOUT 2.5 OR 2.6 ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE POINTS ABOVE THAT, NO NEW REVENUE, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS RATE.
AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE, UH, THAT AS A RESULT OF CERTIFICATION, WE'RE PROJECTING THAT EACH PENNY WOULD RESULT IN $21.9 MILLION FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS OPPOSED TO OUR INITIAL PROJECTION OF 21.6.
UH, THIS, WE HAVE TWO REMAINING WORK SESSIONS FOR TOMORROW, AND I'M SURE, OR EXCUSE ME, FOR NEXT WEEK AND IT LEADING UP TO BUDGET ADOPTION.
AND I'M SURE WE WILL WORK THROUGH THE PLAN FOR THOSE LATER IN THIS MEETING.
BUT, UH, FOR NOW, THAT'S OUR UPDATE ON CERTIFICATION.
WE'RE HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, THIS IS ITEM NUMBER ONE, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO AFTER WE COMPLETE THIS.
BUT THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF OUR FINANCIAL STAFF, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE NEW PRESENTATION AND THE UPDATE, UH, TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.
ANYBODY GOT ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO? UM, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I'M JUST CHECKING ITEM NUMBER TWO.
ITEM NUMBER TWO IS THE VOTE ON THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE.
UH, IF YOU WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
[2. Approve a resolution adopting a maximum proposed property (ad valorem) tax rate that will include an increase for the operations and maintenance of the City for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and setting a public hearing to receive and consider public comment on the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 property (ad valorem) tax rate (Suggested date, time, and location: August 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Austin City Hall, 301 West Second Street, Austin, Texas). Funding: This is not the final action to set the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 tax rate.]
GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO AND WITHOUT A COUNSEL, UNLESS YOU'VE ADDED AN OBJECTION, OBJECTION, WHAT MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE IS THAT WE GET A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND WE DO QUESTIONS AND THAT, UH, AND, AND QUESTIONS AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY.UH, SO LET US GO TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.
UH, AND, AND LET ME JUST REPEAT WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING PREVIOUSLY WITH REGARD TO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY WITH REGARD TO THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE.
TEXAS LAW REQUIRES THAT THE GOVERNING BODY, UH, PASS BY A VOTE, AND IT'S A RECORD VOTE PASSED BY A VOTE, A MAXIMUM TAX RATE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE TAX RATE THAT IS THE HIGHEST THAT THE GOVERNING BODY WILL CONSIDER FOR THE BUDGET PROCESS.
WE ARE NOT VOTING TODAY ON WHAT TAX RATE WILL BE IN THE BUDGET.
WE ARE VOTING ON WHAT WOULD BE THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL.
UH, WE WILL DO THAT WHEN WE ACTUALLY PASS THE BUDGET.
AND BY THE WAY, THAT'LL BE PART OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT HERE IN JUST A SECOND.
BUT, UM, AS I INDICATED, THE STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE DO THAT BY A VOTE, UH, THAT DECLARATION BY A VOTE.
HISTORICALLY AND TRADITIONALLY, AS I'VE NOTED, UH, THE CITY HAS SET THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, UH, AND THAT IS THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT THE CITY CAN ADOPT WITHOUT TRIGGERING AN ELECTION.
THE PROPOSED, THE MANAGER'S PROPOSED BASE BUDGET UTILIZES THE HIGH, THE, THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT THE CITY MAY ADOPT WITHOUT TRIGGERING AN ELECTION.
IT USES THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE.
SO ANY ADDITION IN THE COLLECTION OF REVENUE THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT DECIDE IT WANTS TO DO AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS WOULD TRIGGER WHAT IS KNOWN.
AND WE, WE, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AS A TAX RATE ELECTION OR A TRE, UH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR, UH, OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME, UH, LOOKING AT THIS AND, AND THINKING ABOUT IT.
I, I WANT TO, I WANNA SAY IT BECAUSE I, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN VERY METHODICAL, UH, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AS I'VE HEARD TODAY, FOR LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY, UH, LOOKING AT THE IMPACTS OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCES ON OUR FINANCES, UH, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN THOSE LOOKING AT PAST SPENDING AND OTHER FACTORS.
IN FACT, THE COUNCIL HAS CREATED A NEW PROCESS THAT THAT, THAT
[01:35:01]
IT IS UTILIZING AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.HOWEVER, THE PROCESS IS NOT COMPLETE.
UH, THE COUNCIL IS STILL WORKING ON WHERE IT WANTS TO GET AS IT LISTENS TO PUBLIC INPUT.
WE WILL HAVE A, A PUBLIC HEARING AGAIN, UH, LATER TODAY, AND WE WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL WORK SESSIONS, UH, WITH REGARD TO THAT.
BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE STILL NEED, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL WORKING, WE NEED TO DECLARE A POTENTIAL, A MAXIMUM TAX RATE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
AND WE WANT TO AVOID BEING IN A SITUATION WHERE WE'RE PRECLUDING CONSIDERATION OF WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO END UP.
IN OTHER WORDS, WE WANT TO TAKE ACTION TODAY THAT PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY FOR US TO CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS WE NEED TO, TO, TO AGREE TO.
WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO USE THE RATE THAT GETS PASSED TODAY.
IT MAY INDEED BE LESS, BUT ALL THAT BEING SAID, PART OF THE TRANSPARENCY AND, AND THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITHOUT OBJECTION MEMBERS, UH, I WOULD, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WHAT WE DO IS WE PUT, SINCE WE ASK FOR EIGHT ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FROM THE MANAGER, WE ASK THAT WE CONTINUE WITH THAT PROCESS WHERE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONSIDER THOSE EIGHT ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS.
AND SINCE WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT IT, WE'RE STILL THINKING ABOUT IT, WE'RE STILL LISTENING TO PEOPLE, THE MOTION THAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE HAVE IS ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW CONSIDERATION OF ALL THOSE LEVELS UNTIL WE GET TO THE ACTUAL VOTE ON THE BUDGET.
AND EVEN IF WE DON'T, EVEN IF WE SIT HERE WRITE NOW, WE DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, WE WOULD EVER BE IN A POSITION TO VOTE FOR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE IS, WE WOULD STILL DO THAT SO THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE THAT THOROUGH DISCUSSION.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, I WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE DETAILS OF THAT.
WE WOULD TAKE UP A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 20 25, 20 26, BUDGET AND TAX RATE APPROVAL MEETINGS ON AUGUST 13TH, AUGUST 14TH, AND AUGUST 15TH.
IF, IF WE NEED THREE DAYS AND SET THE, WE WILL ALSO BE SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAX RATE ON AUGUST 13TH, AS I'VE INDICATED THAT.
I WANNA SAY IT AGAIN FOR THE RECORD.
UNDER STATE LAW, A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER REQUIRES A ROLL CALL VOTE.
THE MAXIMUM RATE THAT THE CITY CAN ADOPT IS WHAT YOU'VE HEARD OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF LAYOUT.
THE MAXIMUM RATE THAT THE CITY CAN ADOPT WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE SET BY STATE LAW IS 52.40 CENTS PER $100 VALUATION, 52.40 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION, WHICH INCLUDES AN INCREASE OF 3.5% FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY.
IF WE GO ABOVE THAT RATE, WE MUST CALL AN ELECTION.
THE MOTION THAT I HAVE SUGGESTED WE HAVE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SETTING, THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND 2026 AT SIX 0.40 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION, INCLUDING AN INCREASE OF 23.7% FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY, AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR COUNCIL TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26, PROPERTY TAX RATE AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 13TH, 2025 AT AUSTIN CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD AND CLARITY, IT WOULD BE A, THE RESOLUTION SETTING, THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT COUNSEL WILL CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 AT SIX 0.40 CENTS PER $100 VALUATION, INCLUDING AN INCREASE OF 23.7% FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPERTY TAX RATE AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 13TH, 2025
[01:40:02]
AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS.
IS THERE A MOTION MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
WITH THAT, WE WILL GO TO DISCUSSION, AND THAT INCLUDES QUESTIONS OF, UM, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
UH, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF.
YOU GUYS ALWAYS DID SUCH A GREAT JOB.
SO I WILL SAVE Y ALL FROM ANY QUESTIONS, UH, BEFORE I GET INTO, UH, ITEM TWO, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE, UH, FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING TODAY.
UH, WHETHER IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME AT CITY HALL, UH, OR YOU'VE BEEN HERE AND YOU'RE, YOU'RE A VETERAN, UH, WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE, AND, AND HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS IS, IS THE UTMOST PRIORITY FOR US.
UH, AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK JUST THE CITY WORKERS WHO ARE IN THIS BUILDING.
UH, MANY OF THEM WHO SPOKE FROM AFSCME, UH, YOU KNOW, KNOW YOU'RE VALUED, YOU'RE SEEN, AND, AND THE FOLKS ON THE DIOCESE, YOU KNOW, SEE, SEE ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
UH, AND, AND I ALSO GO TO, UH, P TERRY'S AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.
UM, BUT, BUT IT'S MY, IT'S MY THING.
UH, SO I JUST WANNA START OFF BY SAYING, THIS DECISION WAS NEVER GONNA BE EASY, BUT IT'S THE ONE WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO FACE HEAD ON.
THE 3.5% TAX CAP SET BY THE STATE HAS NOW FULLY TIED OUR HANDS, AND WE'RE SEEING THE FALLOUT ARPA FUNDS HAVE RUN DRY SALES.
TAX TAX IS UNPREDICTABLE, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLASHED SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE.
AS WE NAVIGATE THESE LIMITATIONS, I'VE BEEN WORKING, I'VE BEEN LOOKING CLOSELY AT WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS TELLING US THROUGH THE CITY'S BUDGET POLLING DATA FROM ME, AND WHAT STOOD OUT TO ME LOUD AND CLEAR, IS THAT AUSTINITES WANT US TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING, HOME HOMELESSNESS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE, THAT'S GONNA GUIDE ME THROUGH THESE TOUGH DECISIONS.
I BELIEVE IT'S OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO BE EFFECTIVE AS A DAIS, UH, TO DO RIGHT BY THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
BACK IN 2022, BEFORE I WAS ON THE D IN MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, WHEN COUNCIL HAD TO MAKE HARD ARPA FUNDING CHOICES, THEY RELEASED SURVEYS DURING CRITICAL OUTREACH PROCESSES.
I THINK WE SHOULD DO THE SAME.
ONCE WE HAVE AN INITIAL COUNCIL PROPOSED BUDGET, GET ANOTHER PULSE CHECK THROUGH.
SO WHEN WE'RE AT THE FINISH LINE, WE'RE IN LOCKSTEP WITH THE COMMUNITY, NOT A STEP BEHIND.
SO, UH, WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AND, AND THAT'S MY TIME.
COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL FOLLOWED MAYOR PRO BY PREMIER MAYOR PRO TIM, AND COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU MAYOR FOR, UH, LAYING THIS ALL OUT.
SO CLEARLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THE STRUCTURE, AND OF COURSE, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
UM, I DO REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO'S TESTIFIED TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, IT'S SO MEANINGFUL TO HEAR FROM YOU, UH, ABOUT THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, YOU KNOW, EVEN JUST TODAY, YOU KNOW THE STORY ABOUT, UH, BEING A SINGLE FATHER AND TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO SEND YOUR KIDS TO SUMMER CAMP THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY RESONATED WITH ME.
UH, THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TEACHING KIDS HOW TO SWIM, UH, ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME STATUS, UH, THE WORK TO, UH, DO VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HARM REDUCTION, UH, THE WORK TO, FRANKLY, TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WHO BASICALLY GUARANTEE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, UM, REALLY HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR, UH, WHY A TAX RATE ELECTION WOULD BE REALLY IMPACTFUL IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND HOW WE CAN LIVE UP TO OUR VALUES AS A COMMUNITY, EVEN IF THE STATE GOVERNMENT OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TO SUPPORT US HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, WITH THAT SAID, I DO WANNA KIND OF RAISE A QUESTION FOR STAFF AND I'LL, I'LL DIRECT MY QUESTION TO THE MANAGER.
UH, AND I'LL JUST KIND OF MAYBE PULL BACK THE CURTAIN A LITTLE BIT FOR THE PUBLIC ON HOW CHALLENGING THIS BUDGET PROCESS IS.
AND I'LL JUST SAY IT'S PROBABLY HARDER FOR SOME OF US WHO ARE FIRST TERM COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, LEARNING THE ROPES, BUT THIS IS ALSO THE FIRST TIME THE CITY HAS HAD TO NOT JUST HAVE A BUDGET PROCESS IN A DEFICIT, WHICH IS HARD ENOUGH BY ITSELF THEN TO LAYER IN THE, THE COMPLEXITIES OF BUILDING A TRE IN INTO THIS, UH, CONVERSATION.
AND IN PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, WE STARTED THIS PROCESS, UM, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL MEMBERS GOT THE DRAFT BUDGET JULY 12TH, AND YOU CAN SEE IF YOU LOOK AT THE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, BUDGET QUESTION PAGE THAT'S ON THE CITY WEBSITE, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE SCRAMBLING FOR INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, RIGHT? UH, BECAUSE WE GET THE BASE BUDGET, THE, THE PROPOSED BALANCE BUDGET, AND THEN WE HAVE TO INQUIRE INTO ALL THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE SECOND DOCUMENT, WHICH IS THE PROPOSED TAX RATE, ELECTION LEVELS, ONE PENNY, TWO PENNY, ALL UP TO EIGHT PENNIES.
AND THESE ARE JUST FLAT LINE ITEMS. WE DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS.
AND SO IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING PROCESS FOR US AS OFFICES TO REALLY DRILL DOWN AND, AND HAVE THE ANSWERS THAT THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS US TO HAVE.
AND SO, UM, LEADING UP TO MY QUESTION, MR. MANAGER, IS, UM, YOU KNOW, NEXT WEEK WE'RE GONNA START BUDGET AMENDMENTS, AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE FORMATIONS ON COUNCIL, UH, BECAUSE OF OPEN MEETING LAWS, WE CAN'T ALL MEET IN PRIVATE, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE TO MEET IN SUB QUORUMS. AND SO SOME OF US ARE BUILDING DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS, AND THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE GONNA SIT IN ONE PLACE, AND THEN WE HAVE THESE PROPOSED TRE LEVELS IN ANOTHER PLACE, AND WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION.
RIGHT? AND, UM, SO I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IS, UM, ONCE, ONCE COUNCIL ESTABLISHES THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE FINAL ADOPTED BUDGET, UM, IS CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT HOW
[01:45:01]
STAFF IS GONNA TRY TO BALANCE THE PROPOSALS AND THE VARIOUS TREE LEVELS? SAY WE END UP AT SOMEWHERE AT 5, 6, 7 PENNIES, YOU KNOW, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA HAVE OUR AMENDMENTS OVER HERE THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY CONNECTED TO THE DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS IN THE TRE PROPOSALS.UH, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STAFF PROCESS TO KIND OF INCORPORATE COUNCIL'S FEEDBACK ABOUT OUR DESIRED AMENDMENTS AND STILL, FRANKLY, KEEP THE VOICE OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF ABOUT THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS OF WHAT WE NEED? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
VERY COMPLEX, UH, PARTICULARLY GIVEN ALL THE MOVING PARTS AND, UH, THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN, UH, EITHER THE RECOMMENDED AND BALANCED PROPOSED BUDGET, UH, THE COUNCIL'S TYPICAL AND NORMAL AMENDMENT PROCESS, I GUESS THAT SPEAKS TO THAT PARTICULAR PROPOSED BUDGET.
UH, AND THEN I THINK COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION, OBVIOUSLY FOR ANY TRE SCENARIOS THAT WE'VE PRESENTED, WHICH I WILL SAY, UH, RIGHT UP FRONT, UH, THOSE ARE, UH, PRESENTED, UH, AS PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, UNDERSTANDING SIMILAR TO THE BASE BUDGET THAT I PROPOSE THAT COUNCIL HAS THE FREEDOM IN THE LATITUDE TO CHANGE AND OR ADJUST AND MOVE AND MIX ANYTHING WITHIN THERE, PARTICULARLY PROGRAMMATICALLY THAT THEY BELIEVE, UH, GETS TO, UH, WHAT THEIR RESIDENTS AND CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY, UM, ARE RESPONSIBLE AND, UH, ANSWER TO THAT THEY BELIEVE IS IMPORTANT.
SO AS I SEE THE PROCESS, UH, PLAYING OUT, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND HOW I THINK OUR BUDGET STAFF WOULD WANT TO APPROACH IT, UH, AS I'VE SAID FROM THE BEGINNING, I BELIEVE THE AMENDMENT PROCESS, UH, THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN TWO PARTS.
I WOULD ARGUE ONE, UH, COUNCIL SHOULD LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED BUDGET, UH, THAT LIVES WITHIN THE THREE AND A HALF PERCENT REVENUE THRESHOLD, UH, AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, AND BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND, UH, AND AMEND THAT BUDGET BASED ON DESIRED SERVICE LEVELS AND OR POINTS OF, UH, INITIATIVES THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE DONE, SHOULD THERE NOT BE A TRE, JUST TO SETTLE ON, UH, THE 3.5%, UH, CAP THAT WE HAVE LIVED UNDER, AT LEAST IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, AND DO YOUR NORMAL BUDGET AMENDMENT PROCESS TO AFFECT THAT BUDGET.
SECONDLY, UH, AND I'LL DEFER TO THE MAYOR AND THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THEIR APPROACH TO HOW YOU'LL GO THROUGH AND NAVIGATE, UH, DETERMINING AT WHAT LEVEL OF A TAX RATE ELECTION, UH, PENNY, I GUESS SO TO SPEAK, THROUGH THE VARIOUS SCENARIOS, HOW YOU'LL GO ABOUT MANAGING THAT PROCESS AND WHERE TO START.
UH, BUT IF I HEARD THE MAYOR CORRECT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, HE SUGGESTED THAT AT LEAST ON THAT DAY, WE BEGAN TO DECIDE THE BUDGET, UH, WHETHER AMENDMENTS OR NOT, WE WOULD USE THE BASE MOTION TO BE THE BUDGET THAT I RECOMMENDED AND BUILD FROM THERE.
AND SO, UH, STAFF ONE, BACK TO THE QUESTION ANSWERS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.
I KNOW WE'RE WORKING HARD, UH, IN THE Q AND A PROCESS TO GET THOSE ANSWERS TO YOU, UH, HOPEFULLY IN TIME FOR YOU TO BEGIN TO MAKE WHATEVER AMENDMENTS THAT YOU MAY WANT.
I WOULD OFFER, UH, OUR ABILITY TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE SOME NARRATIVE AND CLARITY ON THE SCENARIOS AND THE ITEMS WITHIN THERE TO KIND OF TEASE THOSE OUT A LITTLE BIT, AT LEAST PROVIDE SOME GLIMPSE OF WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO.
AND IF THERE ARE ANY METRICS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF THOSE PARTICULAR ITEMS, UH, IN THAT, UH, IN THOSE SCENARIOS, I THINK WE CAN DO, UH, A BETTER JOB AND TRY TO FIND A WAY TO GET FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS WHAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, UH, AND THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY WOULD RECEIVE SHOULD YOU APPROVE CERTAIN LEVELS OF TRA, UM, TRE RELATED FUNDING IN THOSE THINGS SO THAT YOU CAN BEGIN TO SEE THAT.
AND SO WE'LL WORK VERY HARD OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS TO GET ALL OF THOSE THINGS TOGETHER IN PREPARATION FOR THAT CONVERSATION.
BUT IF, IF THAT'S A LONG ANSWER TO SAY, BREAK IT IN PARTS, DEAL WITH THE BASE BUDGET, AND THEN BEGIN, UH, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO OVER AND ABOVE THAT, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU SETTLE IN ON THE AMOUNTS, UH, AND OR THE ITEMS IN A TRE.
AND, AND IF I MIGHT ADD TO THAT, UM, AND THE MAYOR PRO, TIM AND I WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS AS WELL, SO A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE IS WE'RE, WE'RE, SO THAT EVERYBODY WILL KIND OF KNOW WHERE EVERY, WHAT EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF AMENDMENTS.
WE'VE ASKED THAT MONDAY BY SIX O'CLOCK PEOPLE PUT OUT THEIR AMENDMENTS.
YOU GOTTA HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE SHOOTING AT AS A TARGET FOR POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS.
FOR PURPOSES OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
THE, THE PROPOSED BASE BUDGET IS WHAT WE'VE HAVE INDICATED.
THAT'S WHAT YOU PLAY, YOU USE AS A TARGET.
AND, AND THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT POP IN MY HEAD ABOUT THAT.
AND, AND TRUST ME, I HAVE, UH,
[01:50:01]
I'VE TURNED MYSELF INTO A PRETZEL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DO THIS PROCEDURALLY AT, AT THE, AT THE ACTUAL MEETING.AND I'M, AND I'M NOT SURE I'VE GOT IT COMPLETELY FIGURED OUT, SO EVERYBODY FEEL FREE TO, TO THINK THROUGH THIS WITH ME.
AND WHAT THAT DOES IS, NUMBER ONE, IS IT ALLOWS EVERYBODY TO SEE WHAT AMENDMENT SOMEBODY MIGHT OFFER BECAUSE IT SHOWS WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES WOULD BE TO TRY TO EVEN IN, EVEN IN A TRE, RIGHT? IS, IS WHERE THEY MIGHT GO.
THE SECOND PART OF THAT THOUGH, IS IT, IT BECOMES CLEAR TO ME THAT SOME MAY WANT TO OFFER AS A, A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
AND THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WOULD BE, IN FACT, PROBABLY, UH, ONE OF THE LEVELS OF A POTENTIAL TRE.
BUT IT, BUT AS, AS WE'VE ALL DISCUSSED AND WAS JUST POINTED OUT, THE LEVELS THAT WE WERE GIVEN ONE, TWO THROUGH EIGHT, THOSE YOU MAY WANNA CHANGE SOMETHING WITHIN THOSE.
SO IF YOU OFFER, IF YOU, IF YOU'RE GONNA OFFER A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, YOU THINK THAT THAT IS YOUR AMENDMENT, RIGHT? YOUR AMENDMENT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, PLEASE MAKE IT CLEAR HERE'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ON THE FIFTH, WE HELD THAT DATE AS A POTENTIAL DATE FOR A WORK SESSION, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE ALWAYS SAID, MAYBE WE WON'T DO THAT.
THE MAYOR PRO TEM SUGGESTED YESTERDAY IN THE SPECIAL AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR, UH, AND, AND, AND IT'S A GOOD SUGGESTION THAT THE AUDIT FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD NO OBJECTION WITH, AND I, UH, UH, BUT WE GO AHEAD AND HAVE THAT WORK SESSION.
AND WHAT THAT HAPPENS AT THAT WORK SESSION IS THAT YOU WALK, WE WALK THROUGH WITH THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF WALKING THROUGH WHAT'S IN ONE, WHAT'S IN TWO, WHAT'S IN THREE, AND, AND, AND HOW DO YOU DO THAT? I MEAN, I, THE OTHER DAY, I WAS ASKING MR. GRAY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ACTUALIZATION OF THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER'S PLAN AND THE, AND WE SEE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN ALTERNATIVE THREE AND ALTERNATIVE FIVE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ACTUALIZATION OF THAT PLAN.
SO WE, WE WOULD DO THAT, THAT WILL ALSO, BASED UPON WHAT WE HAVE PROVIDED BY SIX O'CLOCK ON MONDAY, GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT, IF I WANNA MAKE CHANGES TO THAT, THIS IS WHERE I WOULD MAKE THOSE CHANGES.
THEN ON THE SEVENTH, WE WILL MEET THE PURPOSE OF THAT MEETING BEING TO DISCUSS WHAT WE LAID OUT ON MONDAY BY SIX O'CLOCK OF AMENDMENTS.
SO THAT REALLY, THE TIMING WORKS OUT PRETTY WELL, BECAUSE THAT GIVES US ALMOST A WEEK BEFORE THE ACTUAL BUDGET VOTE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS EACH ONE OF THOSE ITEMS AND HOW THAT MIGHT PLAY OUT.
ONE OF THE THINGS I HOPE HAPPENS, I'M NOT COUNTING ON IT, BUT I'M HOPING IT HAPPENS, IS THAT BY THE SEVENTH, WHEN WE'VE DONE ALL THAT I'VE JUST LAID OUT, WE HAVE A BETTER FEEL FOR WHAT THE MAIN MOTION MIGHT BE, AND IT MAY NOT BE THE BASE MOTION, AND THAT WILL THEN ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO BACK AND MAKE POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO SOMETHING THAT'S MORE LIKELY THE BASE MOTION.
UM, I, I DON'T WANT TO, I I, I, I, I PRAY WE DON'T JUMP TO THAT CONCLUSION TODAY.
WE FOLLOW OUR PROCESS AND BY THE END OF THE DAY, ON THE SEVENTH, WE HAVE A BETTER FEEL.
WE HAVE SOME SORT OF CONSENSUS, EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T LIKE ON THE DAIS, BUT WE HAVE A CONSENSUS OF WHAT THAT OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE.
AND SO WE GET A BASE MOTION THAT THEN GETS AMENDED, UH, AS OPPOSED TO STARTING WITH THE TARGET OF THE BASE, THE PROPOSED BASE BUDGET, BECAUSE THAT'S THE BEST WE GOT RIGHT NOW.
NOW THAT, AGAIN, I, I JUST, I JUST THINK I WON IN THE LENGTH OF AN ANSWER.
UM, IT'S NOT A COMPETITION, BUT I THINK I WON.
UM, I JUST WANNA PROVIDE A LITTLE MORE, UM, FEEDBACK, I GUESS, UH, FOR, FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE.
AND, UM, I GUESS MY CONCERN IS THAT IF WE SPENT A BUNCH OF ENERGY AMENDING THE BASE BUDGET, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE A MAJORITY OF COUNCIL THAT'S INDICATED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT A TRE AT LEAST OF FIVE PENNIES OR MORE THAT WE'RE SPINNING OUR WHEELS.
UM, AND SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE WANNA RESTORE THE HOUSING TRUST FUND AT $8 MILLION, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIND CUTS IN THE BASE BUDGET THAT WE DON'T INTEND TO CUT, OR IF WE WANNA MAKE CHANGES TO THE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, UH, STAFFING FORMULA, OR IF WE WANNA ENHANCE PARK SERVICES, WE'RE
[01:55:01]
GONNA BE TRYING TO FIND SAVINGS IN OUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT WE DON'T ACTUALLY NEED TO FIND.AND SO MY, MY SUGGESTION IS THAT MAYBE WE START AT A FIVE PENNY, UH, TRE FOR OUR AMENDMENTS SO THAT WHEN WE'RE PROPOSING AMENDMENTS, WE COULD SAY, WE ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE TO FIND A CUT.
THIS IS GONNA COME FROM NEW REVENUE.
THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO DO THAT.
AND, AND THAT IS TO NOT REQUIRE THAT THE AMENDMENT THAT IS OFFERED ON MONDAY BE AN ACTUAL AMENDMENT OF THE BASE BUDGET.
'CAUSE I HEAR YOU, UM, AND, AND I AND I, AND, AND AGREE THAT THERE'S PROBABLY, IT, IT'S IS IT'S, IT'S PROBABLY JUST A TARGET.
AND, AND THAT MAY NOT, AND THAT WAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO ASK FOR WHERE THE CUTS ARE.
BUT INSTEAD, WHAT MIGHT COULD HAPPEN IS PEOPLE STATE WHAT IT IS THAT'S GOING TO BE A PRIORITY OF THEIRS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO FIND THAT IN THE TRE ASPECT, AND THEN BY THE SEVENTH, WE OUGHT TO HAVE A, A, A CLEAR FEEL OF THAT ONCE WE'VE GONE THROUGH EACH STEP.
AND INSTEAD OF HAVING A, A TRUE AMENDMENT BE OFFERED ON MONDAY AT SIX, BE PREPARED TO OFFER WHAT IT IS YOU'RE THINKING YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE IN A BUDGET AND, AND A TRE AND INCLUDING WHETHER YOU, YOU THINK IT OUGHT TO BE LEVEL FIVE AND, AND DO IT THAT WAY.
SO THAT WHAT WE DO IS WE, WE GIVE CLARITY FOR EVERYBODY ON WHERE EVERYBODY'S AT AND FRANKLY DON'T HAVE TO DRAFT AMENDMENTS EVEN TO SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT BE WHAT, WHAT SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHAT I'VE PLAYED WITH IT IN MY HEAD, AND THIS IS JUST IN MY HEAD, IS THE IDEA THAT WE, WE MAY HAVE TO ALLOW FOR SUBSTITUTE MOTIONS IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT STRICT PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.
AND I'M NOT LOOKING AT ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR.
UH, BUT, BUT WE MIGHT HAVE TO DO THINGS AND, AND, AND Y'ALL ALLOW AS, AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THIS, THE, THE EXERCISE OF, UH, A, A DIFFERENT RULES OF ORDER IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU, YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND UM, I, I AGREE WITH THAT IDEA AND 'CAUSE PART OF WHAT I WAS ASKING THE MANAGER IS, UM, YOU KNOW, WE CAN FIND OUR DESIRED PROGRAMMATIC GOALS THROUGH OUR AMENDMENT PROCESS, BUT MAYBE IT'S CITY STAFF THAT NEED TO KIND OF NORMALIZE EVERYTHING.
SO, SO, BECAUSE WE'RE COMING AT, AND, AND I THINK THAT'S ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE, WHAT I THINK THIS DISCUSSION IS ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE TOO, BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH A SITUATION THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE DEALT IN THE PAST, AND WE OUGHT TO RECOGNIZE THAT, AND THEN WE OUGHT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE AS CLEAN AS, AS IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.
UM, BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLY ADDRESS THESE THINGS.
SO, SO HERE'S THE SUGGESTION, AND I'LL PLAY WITH THE LANGUAGE OF THIS AND TRY TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE MESSAGE BOARD BECAUSE I'M, I'M RIFFING RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT I'LL TRY TO DO IS PUT SOMETHING ON THE MESSAGE BOARD TO DESCRIBE WHAT THE AMENDMENTS ACTUALLY WOULD LOOK LIKE.
BUT TO YOUR POINT, I, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO DIG IF, IF, IF THERE'S NOT, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR A TRE LEVEL, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SAY, I WANT X AND NOW I GOTTA FIND WHERE I CUT IN, IN, IN THE BASE BUDGET.
THAT'S NOT, THAT'S JUST A WASTE OF TIME, RIGHT? AND IT, WELL, AND, AND IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING, RIGHT? SO WE, WE DON'T WANNA TAKE A MEANINGLESS ACT.
SO WHAT WE'LL DO IS, AT LEAST FOR NOW, THE WAY TO THINK ABOUT THIS, AND Y'ALL HELP ME, IF YOU, IF YOU, IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONS OR AMENDMENTS TO THIS, THE AMENDMENT PROCESS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT WE WOULD ASK FOR BY MONDAY AT SIX, WOULD BE A CLEAR STATEMENT OF WHAT IT IS YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE BUDGET.
AND IF YOU ARE OFFERING A PROPOSED AMENDMENT, IT WOULD BE A BC THAT SORT OF THING.
IF YOU, UH, WELL, I THINK THAT ANSWERS IT OR IT GETS CLOSE.
SO THEN IN THAT CASE, IT WOULD BE ONE AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE OFFERING WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THAT'S RIGHT.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED IN THE TE.
AND THAT WAY WE WILL AT LEAST KNOW WHERE EVERYBODY IS.
AND IF, AND LET'S JUST SAY, UM, YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH, SO USE YOUR EXAMPLE FIVE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH FIVE, AND I'M NOT SAYING YOU ARE, BUT, UM, MM-HMM
LOVE IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.
UM, IT, IT, IT, BUT YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH FIVE.
JUST SAY I'M IN LOVE WITH FIVE, BUT HERE ARE THE THREE OR FOUR CHANGES I WOULD MAKE TO FIVE, RIGHT? SO THAT PEOPLE SEE THAT AS WELL.
THAT MAY GIVE US ONCE WE WALK THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THAT MAY GIVE US AN IDEA THAT THERE'S A BASE MOTION IN THERE SOMEWHERE
[02:00:01]
THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN JUST THE BASE PROPOSAL.SO WITHOUT TRIPPING OVER, UH, YOUR WONDERFUL, UM, BLESS YOU ABILITY TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS, UH, I, I THINK TO COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL'S POINT, UH, AND YOURS TO TRY TO HARMONIZE THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, AND AGAIN, I THINK THE ONLY REASON I STATED WORKING THROUGH AND DEFINING AND DETERMINING A BASE BUDGET IS THAT SHOULD A TRE NOT PASS, WHICH I THINK Y'ALL HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, UH, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME REALIZATION FROM STAFF AND OBVIOUSLY THE PUBLIC OF WHAT YOU WILL ULTIMATELY THEN HAVE TO LIVE WITHOUT, UH, BASED ON WHAT YOU DID NOT, UH, FEEL WAS NECESSARY AS IT RELATES TO PROVIDING MORE RESOURCES TO DO ALL THE OTHER THINGS OVER AND ABOVE THE STATE LIMIT.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE ONE, THE ONLY CHALLENGE, UH, THAT I WOULD SAY WOULD, WOULD COME ABOUT AS IT RELATES TO NOT SETTLING ON A THREE AND A HALF PERCENT, UH, INCREASED BUDGET.
SO I'LL JUST SAY THAT FOR THE RECORD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK AS YOU OFFER FOR PRESENTATION AND OR UNDERSTANDING AND CLARITY FOR STAFF AND THE PUBLIC AROUND A PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE SOMEONE'S DESIRE TO HAVE HAPPEN IN ANY BUDGET THAT WAS ULTIMATELY PUT TOGETHER, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL OFFER, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE COUNCIL WOULD FEEL ABOUT IT, IS, UH, SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR, SHOULD WE RECEIVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION AND IT'S, UH, ARTICULATED TO THE PUBLIC.
WE WOULD GO BACK AS THE TEAM AND KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE AMENDMENTS WOULD DO AND, AND, AND THE AMOUNTS, AND THEN FIND A WAY TO FIND SOME HARMONY AGAIN BETWEEN ALL THE THINGS THAT WE MIGHT'VE HEARD AND THEN COME BACK WITH A REVISED PROPOSED BUDGET BASED ON THE FEEDBACK.
OBVIOUSLY, UH, HOW WE ULTIMATELY END UP ANYWAY IS HEARING FROM COUNSEL AND YOUR PRIORITIES, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEN AT LEAST FROM A PROFESSIONAL LENS, WE KIND OF HARMONIZE WHAT WE BELIEVE THE BODY COULD SUPPORT, AND THAT ULTIMATELY MIGHT END UP AT SOME OTHER LEVEL THAT COMPRISES ANY ONE OF THOSE SCENARIOS.
AND WE WOULD PROVIDE THAT IN A SETTLED FORM FOR AT LEAST FOR YOU TO SEE, TO SAY, HEY, OF ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE ASKED FOR AND OUR ABILITY, WHETHER SOME OF THEM CHANGED THINGS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, THAT YOU CAME BACK AND FIX THOSE THINGS THROUGH YOUR PROPOSALS, WE WOULD COME BACK AND SETTLE ON AND PROVIDE YOU WITH A, UH, REVISED LOOK AT IT BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WE HEARD.
AND THEN MAYBE YOU CAN BEGIN TO MOVE AND, AND, AND DO OTHER AMENDMENTS IN THAT REGARD, UH, IF THAT'S SIMPLER.
YEAH, I, I, I, I'M NOT SURE IT'S SIMPLER, BUT I THINK IT, IT CORRESPONDS WITH, AT LEAST THE WAY I'M TRYING TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND THE WAY I THINK THE COUNCIL IS, AND THAT IS, IF I, IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING IS THAT WE GET, WE GET THROUGH, HERE'S MONDAY, WE SUBMIT, HERE'S WHAT I THINK THE PERFECT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR ME.
AND IF I HAD A CHANCE TO AMEND IT, THIS IS THE WAY IT WOULD LOOK IF I HAD A CHANCE FOR A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
THIS IS THE WAY IT WOULD LOOK AS A GEN IN A GENERAL SENSE.
TUESDAY, WE SIT DOWN WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND THEY WALK THROUGH THE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES, AND WE THEN ARE ABLE TO HEAR WHAT, HOW OURS MIGHT CORRESPOND WITH THAT AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
THURSDAY, I'M RIGHT ON MY DATES, I THINK SOMEBODY MAKE SURE I'M, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CALENDAR THURSDAY, WE THEN COME TOGETHER AND HAVE THAT DISCUSSION THAT PUTS YOU IN A POSITION AND YOUR STAFF IN A POSITION TO MAYBE BRING US SOMETHING BACK THAT LOOKS LIKE IF, IF THERE IS SOME BASIS FOR CONSENSUS.
AND THAT COULD BE THE WHAT THEN TURNS OUT TO BE CLOSE TO A BASE MOTION.
THE CONCERN I HAVE ABOUT THAT, OF COURSE, IS THE SPEED WITH WHICH YOU NEED THAT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AMENDMENTS, UM, BEFORE THE 13TH.
BUT I THINK WE'RE SAYING THE SAME THING.
WE, WE AND WE'RE AT LEAST GENERALLY MOVING ALL IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
DOES THAT, DO YOU AGREE AND Y YES, I DO.
AND MAYOR, JUST, AND I'LL PASS IT BACK IN A SECOND.
I, AND JUST TO ADDRESS ONE CONCERN BY THE MANAGER, WHICH I THINK IS A HUNDRED PERCENT FAIR AND IMPORTANT, IS THAT THE MANAGER AND STAFF NEED DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL ON WHAT TO DO IF A TRE, YOU KNOW, GOD FORBID, DOES NOT PASS.
AND I WOULD JUST SUGGEST THAT WE CAN DO THAT INSTEAD OF AMENDING THE BASE BUDGET SEPARATELY.
BY THE TIME WE ADOPT A BUDGET, WE COULD HAVE SOME SORT OF CONCURRENT IFC OR SOMETHING THAT GIVES THAT DIRECTION.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER OR COUNCILOR SIEGEL, HAVE YOU FINISHED? I YIELD.
[02:05:01]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.FIRST, LIKE OTHERS, WANNA THANK, UH, THE FOLKS IN THE BUDGET TEAM FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.
I HAD, UH, TWO QUESTIONS FOR Y'ALL.
ONE IS, CAN YOU HELP FOR US AND OTHERS HELP CLARIFY THE THOUGHT PROCESS FOR THE 8 CENTS SCENARIO? THAT THE, THE SCENARIOS THAT GO FROM ONE TO EIGHT THAT YOU'VE SHARED WITH US OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, UH, AND AS PART OF THE MOTION TODAY AND WHY IT WAS NOT 5 CENTS OR 10 CENTS OR 25 CENTS, CAN YOU HELP EXPAND ON THAT? I'LL TRY.
UM, I THINK WHEN, AS WE WERE HAVING PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS, UM, THE NUMBER OF CENT TO, UH, CONSIDER, I THINK THE HIGHEST RANGE THAT WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD WAS POTENTIALLY 9 CENT.
AND THEN FINALLY IT WAS, UM, SOME DIRECTION TO LOOK AT ONE TO 8 CENTS.
SO THAT'S HOW WE BUILT OUT THE SCENARIOS.
WE RECOGNIZED THAT WE CAN GO AS HIGH AS WE WOULD LIKE, BUT WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE ONE, WE RESPONDED TO THE DIRECTION AND, UM, ADDRESS THE DOLLARS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITH THOSE, WITH THOSE CENTS.
UH, AND BY THE WAY, THAT WAS NOT A REQUEST FOR A 25 CENTS SCENARIO
UH, THE SECOND THING IS FOR, COULD YOU CLARIFY, COULD I REASONABLY COMPARE THE MOTION THAT WE'VE GOT TODAY BEFORE US AS ESSENTIALLY A FINANCIAL OPTION WHERE WE HAVE THE RIGHT BUT NOT OBLIGATION TO VOTE ON THE BASE VOTER APPROVAL RATE UP UNTIL 8 CENTS OR EIGHT PENNIES BEYOND THAT? IS THAT A FAIR ANALOGY? I THINK SO.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
UM, I ALSO WANNA EXTEND MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL THE SPEAKERS TODAY AND DURING OUR BUDGET TOWN HALLS.
WE DO LIVE IN A WORLD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO FIND THE TIME TO COME DOWN HERE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
BUT ENGAGING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NO MATTER HOW YOU DO IT, OR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, AND I THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE YOUR VOICE HEARD WITH US, AND ALSO AT OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT SO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR CITY.
I ALSO WANT TO STATE HOW HARD I SEE OUR CITY STAFF WORKING IN ALL DIFFERENT AREAS FROM RESOURCE RECOVERY ON UP TO THE BUDGET TEAM IN OUR CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
OUR STAFF PERFORMS AT A HIGH LEVEL, AND SO MANY OF THEM STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF LIVING WITHIN AUSTIN'S BOUNDARIES, OR EVEN WITHIN A REASONABLE COMMUTING DISTANCE OF THE CITY.
SUPPORTING AUSTIN'S WORKERS BEGINS WITH OUR CITY'S OWN EMPLOYEES.
AND A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR AUSTIN STAFF SIMPLY SHOULD NOT BE SACRIFICED.
AND WITH THAT I'LL AFFIRM THAT I DO BELIEVE, UM, THAT AUSTIN NEEDS A TAX RATE ELECTION.
MY STAFF AND I HAVE POURED OVER THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR, AND THE PROPOSED TRE SCENARIOS I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR, FOR ALL OF THIS WORK, OFTEN LATE INTO THE NIGHT AND FOR THE ADVOCACY OF OUR RESIDENTS.
AND I AM PREPARED TO SUPPORT, UH, A TAX RATE ELECTION IN THE 5 CENT TO THE 7 CENT RANGE UNLESS THINGS CHANGE.
SO, AS USUAL, I MAKE MY, MY PLA MY POSITION KNOWN, UH, AND CONTINUE TO LEARN AS WE GO.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
UM, FIRST, I KNOW WE MADE SOME CHANGES BASED ON THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY TAX DATA, WHICH APPEARED TO, YOU KNOW, BE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO NOTE.
UH, I'M CURIOUS, AND I COULD TAKE THE ANSWERS NOW OR I CAN SUBMIT AS A QUESTION IF IT'S BETTER.
UM, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR TAX REVENUE COMES FROM WILLIAMSON COUNTY RESIDENTS? UH, IN TERMS OF VALUE? IT'S IN THE 12% RANGE, BUT I CAN GET YOU EXACT NUMBERS THROUGH A CBQ, THAT'D BE GREAT.
UM, YES, I WILL, I'D BE INTERESTED IN BOTH, UM, PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX IF IT'S AVAILABLE.
UM, AND I AM LIKELY TO REQUEST, UM, SEEING THAT OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS, AS I KNOW OUR WILLIAMSON COUNTY PART OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN A HIGH GROWTH AREA.
UM, AND I ALSO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERATING NEW PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAT ISN'T SUBJECT TO SOME OF THE CONSTRAINTS, AND THERE CONTINUE TO BE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THAT AREA.
SO JUST UNDERSTANDING THE EXTENT OF THE IMPACT WE COULD HAVE THROUGH THOSE EFFORTS.
UM, BUT WE'LL SUBMIT, UH, A CPQ.
UM, I ALSO, I KNOW WE'VE LOST A LOT OF FEDERAL GRANTS THIS YEAR.
IN A HYPOTHETICAL WORLD WHERE WE DID NOT ADD ANY SERVICES.
DO YOU HAVE A FEEL FOR WHAT LEVEL OF TRE IT WOULD TAKE JUST TO RECOVER THE LOST FUNDING FROM OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT? SO I BELIEVE, UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR FEDERAL GRANTS AND THE IMPACT, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH HAS BEEN THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S LARGEST HAD
[02:10:01]
HAS HAD THE LARGEST IMPACT.AND MOST OF THAT HAS BEEN, UM, PAUSES AND, AND THEN RESTARTS.
AND SO RIGHT NOW OUR, UM, UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE, WE AREN'T SURE OF WHICH, WHICH GRANTS WILL NOT BE RENEWED AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDS.
SO THIS IS WHERE WE'RE KIND OF IN THIS, THIS MOMENT.
AND I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT, I'M GONNA, I'M NOT GONNA MAKE UP A NUMBER, I THINK IT'S ABOUT OVER $6 MILLION OF, OF GRANTS, BUT LET ME MAKE SURE I GET THAT NUMBER CORRECT AND GET IT TO YOU MM-HMM
UM, AND WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW MANY CENTS THAT WOULD BE.
UM, AND I KNOW IT'S IN PART OF THE TRE SCENARIOS LOOKING AT OUR CORE, UM, FUNCTIONS THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY BASED GRANTS.
AND SO THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PIES, OR TWO, TWO DIFFERENT PIECES OF THAT THAT I'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE I GET YOU THE EXACT NUMBER FOR.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE ALSO SOME REALLY LARGE DOLLARS THAT PLAY IN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS AND, UM, FLOODING AND THESE SORTS OF AREAS AS WELL.
UM, BUT YES, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A FEEL FOR THAT.
SO I WAS JUST TOLD IT'S 9.2 MILLION THAT, THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED.
AND SO WE'LL HAVE TO GET THE DOLLAR, THE CENT AMOUNT THAT GOES WITH THAT.
UM, SO FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM STAFF ABOUT HOW A TRE COULD LEAD TO GREATER INVESTMENT TOWARDS HOMELESSNESS, UH, I'M WONDERING, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S HERE AND AVAILABLE, BUT I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD BE WALKED THROUGH HOW THE COMMUNITY WOULD SEE THE IMPACT OF THE HOMELESS SPENDING, WHETHER THE DOLLARS WOULD GO TOWARDS DOING MORE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING VERSUS EXPANDING OUR REACH INTO PARTS OF THE CITY WHO MAYBE HAVE HAD LESS ACCESS TO BEING CONNECTED TO THESE SERVICES.
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID GRAY, DIRECTOR FOR AUSTIN HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS.
UH, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROPOSAL THAT, UH, HSO SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION FROM JANUARY, UH, AND YOU LOOK AT THE FUNDING ITEMS THAT ARE LAID OUT FOR THE CITY, NOT THE ONES THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED FOR OTHER FUNDING PARTNERS, UH, ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT WILL GO TOWARDS SUSTAINING CURRENT INVESTMENTS, THINGS LIKE THE MARSHING YARD, THE H STREET WOMEN'S SHELTER, UH, CASE MANAGEMENT.
THAT'S OFFERED BY OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE COMMUNITY COURT FOR PEOPLE IN RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS. THE OTHER TWO THIRDS WOULD ADD NEW INFRASTRUCTURE TO OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE SPECIFICALLY IS 550 NEW SHELTER BEDS BY 2029.
AND OF THAT 50 BEDS SPECIFICALLY FOR FAMILIES, WHICH I KNOW IS A, A PRIORITY FOR YOU AND OTHERS ON THE DAAS ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE USE AND RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES FOR A HUNDRED CLIENTS ANNUALLY.
UH, THE OPENING OF 350 ADDITIONAL RAPID REHOUSING UNITS ON TOP OF THAT A HUNDRED THAT I JUST MENTIONED.
AND THEN ALSO SUPPORT FOR 133, UH, UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING BUILT BY OUR COLLEAGUES, UH, IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
WE JUST NEED TO BRING SOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICE FUNDING TO THOSE UNITS.
AND I'LL JUST NOTE THAT AS, AS SO MANY HAVE BEEN PUSHED FARTHER AND FARTHER OUT FROM THE CENTRAL CITY BY CUT THE COST OF LIVING.
SO HAS A LOT OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION MOVED FARTHER OUT, AND SO IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO EXPAND THAT REACH AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SPECIFICS.
SO I NOTICED THE BUDGET INVOLVES CRITICAL CAPITAL EXPENSES.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD COMMENT ON THE RISK THAT IF WE DON'T FUND THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, UM, THAT DEFERRED INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE COSTS WILL DRIVE UP OUR MAINTENANCE COSTS, YOU KNOW, IN A WAY THAT'S, THAT'S NOT HELPFUL.
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO COMMENT TO THAT? AND I WOULD BE OKAY ALSO WITH IF THERE WERE, FOR EXAMPLE, UM, AN EXAMPLE THAT COULD ILLUSTRATE IT.
WE HEARD A PUBLIC COMMENTER, UH, MENTION LONG-TERM NEGLECT OF SOME OF OUR PARK FACILITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT OH, SURE.
ED VINO, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, UM, WE DON'T HAVE OUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS HERE TODAY.
THAT'S A QUESTION I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET OUR, UM, UM, UM, THAT'S FINE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR TO RESPOND TO.
SO WE CAN, UM, DO THAT THROUGH A COUNCIL BUDGET QUESTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
I JUST WANTED TO FLAG WHERE I WAS AT WITH THIS CONVERSATION.
I FEEL LIKE THERE COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 11 DIFFERENT PERFECT BUDGETS THAT WE ALL MIGHT, UM, YOU KNOW, DECIDE TO BALANCE OUR OWN PRIORITIES AND NEEDS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
UM, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA GET THERE, HOPEFULLY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN VERY COLLABORATIVE AMONG THIS DAIS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COMMENTS THAT I HEAR ABOUT DISPLACEMENT AND WHEN, UM, FAMILY BUDGETS ARE PINCHED TO THE POINT THAT
[02:15:01]
THEY REALLY DO HAVE AN IMPACT ON, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE BEING ABLE TO FLY TO MEET A NEW FAMILY MEMBER.UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT WHAT DOES 421 MORE DOLLARS MEAN FOR A FAMILY BUDGET OVER, OVER, UM, THE MONTHS THAT THOSE WILL BE PAID.
AND SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE LAND ON A BUDGET THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO BE OFFERED.
OBVIOUSLY IF WE HAD UNLIMITED DOLLARS AND RESOURCES, WE WOULD FUND EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING US FOR.
BUT I'M REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND NARROW DOWN, UM, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE UNLIMITED BUDGETS? WHAT DO THESE INCREASES MEAN AND HOW DO WE BALANCE THE SERVICES THAT MIGHT BE PROVIDED BACK TO THOSE VERY SAME PEOPLE? AND SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE, WHERE THE, THE SWEET SPOT IS.
I'M MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE TODAY AROUND FOUR OR FIVE PENNIES.
UM, BUT I REALLY WANNA SEE WHERE WE COME OUT AS A DAIS AND WHERE WE DECIDE TO PRIORITIZE THESE RESOURCES IF WE'RE GOING TO GO ABOVE THAT RATE.
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH FIVE AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE SAYING THEY'RE HAPPY WITH SEVEN OR EIGHT AT THIS POINT.
AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE ARE APPROPRIATELY PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE DOLLARS THAT WE ARE CHARGING PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR TAXES.
WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HITTING THOSE NEEDS AND WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY DELIVERING THOSE SERVICES INSTEAD OF SAYING THAT THINGS ARE COMING AND THEN WE, WE HIT A SNAG DOWN THE ROAD WHERE COSTS ESCALATE AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DELIVER THOSE SERVICES.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE LOOKING FOR AND THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I REALLY WANNA HAVE WITH MY CONSTITUENTS OVER, OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
I WAS WONDERING, UH, CARRIE OR ERIC, COULD YOU SEND US UPDATED NUMBERS ON WHAT THE GENERAL FUND REVENUES WOULD BE FOR EACH PENNY SCENARIO? 'CAUSE WE HAVE IT WITHOUT THESE UPDATED ROLLED.
WE'RE WORKING ON UPDATING THE SCENARIOS AND WE'LL GET THOSE OUT.
THE OTHER QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK IS AROUND, UH, THE TRE IMPACT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 65 OR OLDER OR DISABLED, WHO TAKE THAT EXEMPTION.
I KNOW WE HEARD FROM A COUPLE INDIVIDUALS, UH, I SEE, YOU KNOW, SUSAN AND BARBARA WHO TESTIFIED, AND I DON'T THINK THEY'RE 65 OR OLDER, BUT FOR ANY OF THEIR FRIENDS THAT MIGHT BE, UM,
RIGHT? THEY WOULD HAVE A, A LESSER INCREASE SINCE WE INCREASED THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
AND I'LL PREFACE THIS ALL BY SAYING WE'LL GET YOU A FULL BREAKDOWN.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CLEANEST AND MOST ACCURATE WAY.
BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT I CAN REFERENCE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT NOW WITH THE UPDATED NUMBERS, WE'D BE PROJECTING AT THE BASE BUDGET, AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE THAT SENIORS WOULD BE SAVING $88 AND 38 CENTS.
$88 AND 38 CENTS YEAR OVER YEAR.
UH, SO AS YOU START TO STACK THE PENNIES, IT WOULD TAKE A, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, TWO AND A HALF OR SO BEFORE THEY WERE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING AN INCREASE.
NOW THEIR MEDIAN VALUE IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER, SO IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PER PENNY, BUT STILL IN THE SAME BALLPARK AS THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER.
BUT WE CAN RUN, UM, A NEW TABLE FOR THE SENIORS AND GET YOU ALL THAT.
UM, THE MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 60.40 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION FOR COUNSEL TO CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 13TH, 2024 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT AUSTIN CITY HALL, 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WILL THE CITY CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW SO THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER'S VOTE IS RECORDED? MAYOR WATSON? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON OFF THE DAIS.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ? YES.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN? YES.
MEMBERS, THE MOTION WAS TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE
[02:20:01]
OF 60.40 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION FOR COUNSEL TO CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST.ARE YOU PREPARED TO VOTE? I AM.
HOW ARE YOU VOTING? WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON'S NAME AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON? YES.
THE, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE IS 60.40 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS EVALUATION FOR COUNSEL TO CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025.
2026 AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 13TH, 2024 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF AUSTIN CITY HALL 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS PASSES ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO MEMBERS.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, WE WILL NOW RECESS THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL UNTIL 3:00 PM FOR OUR TIME, CERTAIN PUBLIC HEARING WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL 3:00 PM UH, FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARING, IT IS 11:21 AM AT THREE O'CLOCK.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, HOWEVER, THE REASON I INDICATED 2025 IS BECAUSE THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE TO SET THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE WAS APPROPRIATELY AND PROPERLY CALLED OUT WHERE I SAID THE DATE 2025 WHEN, SO THE MOTION AND THE SECOND WAS ACCURATE, WE VOTED ON THAT MOTION.
AND SECOND, BUT BEFORE, WHEN I SAID TO THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLE, ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLE, APPARENTLY I SAID 2024.
AND THEN WHEN I CALLED THE RESULT OF THE VOTE AS THE 11 OH VOTE, I'M TOLD I SAID 2024.
AND THE TRUTH IS, I DID, BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE IF Y'ALL WOULD CATCH IT.
AND I JUST WANNA POINT OUT THAT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM SCREWED UP BECAUSE NOBODY CAUGHT IT.
I DIDN'T WANNA CORRECT YOU IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS.
UM, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS I MUST BE DREAMING OF THOSE YEARS WHEN THERE WAS MONEY AND, UH, AND IT WAS NOT AS DIFFICULT TO BUDGET.
THE BOTTOM LINE TO IT IS THAT, UM, I I, I SAID 2024.
NOW, NOBODY, NOBODY, I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY THAT WOULD THINK WE HAD ACTUALLY SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR AUGUST 13TH, 2024, BUT JUST IN CASE THERE IS SOMEBODY, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 13TH, 2025 AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.
AND THAT PASSED ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO, AUGUST 13TH, 2025.
AND I JUST WANNA POINT OUT THAT I, I'M GONNA POINT IT OUT.
I JUST LOOKED DOWN AT MY NOTES AND MY NOTES THAT WERE PROVIDED TO ME, SAY AUGUST 13TH, 2024.
SO IF WE WANT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF HOW I SCREWED UP OR Y'ALL SCREWED UP.
NO, THAT'S, THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS.
BOTTOM LINE IS THE MOTION WAS PROPERLY MADE, IT WAS SECONDED, THE VOTE WAS COMPLETE.
AND, UM, AND I'M LOOKING AT, AT THE, AT THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION I READ, AND IT DOES SAY 2025.
SO, UM, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS AUGUST 13TH, 2025 AT 10:00 AM IS WHAT THE, WHEN THE HEARING WILL BE.
THAT WAS LONGER THAN I INTENDED, BUT, UM, I JUST MAKE SO FEW MISTAKES, IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINTED IT OUT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, AND SEE THAT GOT NO OBJECTION EITHER, RIGHT? SO WE CAN GO ALONG WITH THAT.
WE ARE HERE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, MEMBERS WITHOUT OBJECTION,
[3. Conduct a public hearing on the proposed City of Austin Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 beginning on October 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026.]
WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN, AND I WILL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK, UH, TO START THE PROCESS.
AND THANKS EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE.
WE'RE GONNA START WITH REMOTE SPEAKERS AND THOSE THAT ARE, HAVE REQUESTED SPANISH INTERPRETATION SERVICES.
[02:25:01]
INTERPRETER.I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHERE SHE'S, HER VOICE IS DISTORTED.
UM, I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE THAT HAVE HELPED ME.
I WAS DIAGNOSED AT SOME POINT WITH CANCER, AND I HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.
AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR THAT, UM, AID OR THAT SUPPORT TO NOT END BECAUSE JUST THE WAY I WAS SUPPORTED, THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT STILL NEED THAT KIND OF SUPPORT.
AND I, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO HELP US EVEN MORE.
UM, IDEALLY HAVING PEOPLE THAT SPEAK SPANISH.
IT IS GOOD TO HAVE AN INTERPRETER, BUT IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE HELPFUL TO HAVE ACTUAL STAFF THAT SPEAKS SPANISH.
AND I'M SO VERY GRATEFUL AS WELL OF ALL THE SUPPORT, THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT, THAT YOU, THAT, UM, THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME.
UM, SOMETIMES WITH MY KIDS AS WELL, SOMETIMES THERE WERE BILLS THAT I COULDN'T PAY FULLY AND THE FINANCIAL AID CAME, UM, OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T PAY ALL OF IT, BUT WITH THE GIVEN PROOF THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY, I WAS AWARDED THE ENOUGH AMOUNT, ENOUGH AMOUNT, ENOUGH AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR IT, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP ME.
DO I NEED TO WAIT HERE IN LINE? NO.
I'M GONNA SWITCH TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS WHO'VE REQUESTED SPANISH INTERPRETATION.
CONTINUE WITH THE REST OF THE SPEAKER PLEASE.
BACK TO REMOTE FOR ITEM THREE, KIKA MOORE.
I AM A PREVIOUS RECIPIENT OF THE FAMILY STABILIZATION
[02:30:01]
GRANT.AND, UM, I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON WHAT A DIFFERENCE, UM, THIS GRANT HAS MADE TO ME THE PAST YEAR.
UM, I AM CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WITH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY KNOW OF MEALS ON WHEELS, CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND, UM, WE ALL KNOW THAT WORKING FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, YOU'RE NOT WORKING FOR THE MONEY, YOU'RE WORKING FOR THE MISSION AND FOR THE COST.
SO I ALSO OWN MY OWN SMALL BUSINESS.
AND WITH THIS GRANT, THE, THE MONEY JUST TREMENDOUSLY HELPED ME TO MAKE ME MAKE THE ENDS MEET.
UM, IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE, UM, FOR A LOT OF US, UM, DURING THESE TIMES.
AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DO HAVE INCOME COMING IN, IT'S HARD TO RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE.
UM, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE WORKING AND YOU DO HAVE INCOME.
THIS PROGRAM, THIS GRANT, UM, HAS TREMENDOUSLY HELPED ME AND HELPED OTHERS.
AND I WOULD HOPE FOR IT TO, TO BE A LONGER PROGRAM WHERE WE CAN BE THERE FOR THREE TO FIVE YEARS TO GET, YOU KNOW, MORE ASSISTANCE.
BUT FOR JUST THE ONE YEAR, I'M SO GRATEFUL AND I WILL BE EVEN MORE GRATEFUL IF WE CAN KEEP THIS AROUND FOR OTHER PEOPLE, UM, JUST LIKE MYSELF.
WHO NEEDS THIS? UM, AND YES, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THE, THE FUNDING BECAUSE IT ALLOWED ME TO BE AHEAD IN MY BILLS.
UM, IT ALSO WAS ABLE TO HELP ME IN MY TRANSITION FROM LIVING IN ANOTHER CITY TO MOVING HERE IN THE AUSTIN AREA.
UM, IT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW ME TO JUST TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE LEVERAGE WITH BILLS, UM, WHEN MY HOURS WERE CUT SHORT.
SO I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE FUNDING.
UM, I HOPE THE FUNDING CAN HELP MANY OTHER PEOPLE.
IS THAT ALL BRITTANY? YES, MA'AM.
TAN WHAT BREWSTER? GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR, IT'S TAMIKA ER AGAIN.
AND JUST LIKE THE LADIES BEFORE ME, I JUST WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE, UM, BEING A RECIPIENT OF THE FAMILY DESTABILIZATION GRANT.
UM, IT MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN MY LIFE.
I'VE SPOKE ON IT SO MANY TIMES AND I'LL CONTINUE TO SPEAK ON IT.
UM, I, IT, IT WAS AN INVESTMENT INTO ME AND MY FAMILY, AND IT DID SO MUCH FOR ME.
UM, I, I'M NOW WORKING FULL-TIME.
I NEEDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.
I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.
UM, I WAS, BILLS WERE POWER ENOUGH.
AND TODAY I'M FULL-TIME EMPLOYED.
UM, I HAVE THREE CERTIFICATIONS THAT ARE HELPING ME IN MY EMPLOYMENT.
UM, I HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE BENEFITS.
I HAVE MY OWN TRANSPORTATION NOW.
AND SO THAT, THAT MONEY HELPED ME, AND I'M SURE THAT IT CAN HELP OTHER FAMILIES.
UM, AS, UM, MS. TAMIKA SAID EARLIER, IF WE, IF IT LASTED A LITTLE LONGER, IT COULD HELP MORE, BUT JUST THAT YEAR, THAT TIME, IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE.
AND I'M SURE THERE'S MORE FAMILIES THAT COULD USE THAT.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IT'S STAYING AS A PART OF OUR BUDGET.
AND CITY OF AUSTIN CONTINUES TO INVEST IN PEOPLE AND IN FAMILIES.
TONY VASQUEZ, BEFORE YOU START MY TIME, THERE'S A PICTURE TO PULL UP.
I'M TONY VASQUEZ, A CLIMATE NAVIGATOR AND GAVA LEADER.
I LIVE EAST OF ONION CREEK METROPOLITAN PARK, WHERE THERE ARE LIMITED OR NO EMERGENCY RESOURCES.
THE NEXT TIME THERE'S A CLIMATE STRESSOR EVENT, NEIGHBORS WILL BE RELYING ON AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.
I'M ONE OF 22 CLIMATE NAVIGATORS, TRAIN FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THIS WORK ENSURES RAPID MOBILIZATION TO HIGH NEED AREAS AND STRENGTHENS OUR NETWORKS BY LINKING AFFECTED RESIDENTS WITH CITY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH A PH HAD AN AS NEEDED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS DHW STRIKE TEAM WHO, WHEN NEEDED IN
[02:35:01]
AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, ARE ACTIVATED DUE TO FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.A PH HAS LOST ABOUT 95 POSITIONS.
SINCE THERE IS A RISK OF LOSING THE CHWS, THERE'S A NEED FOR A DEDICATED STRIKE TEAM.
A DEDICATED STRIKE TEAM PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.
DURING GOOD WEATHER, THEY WOULD CONDUCT COMMUNITY OUTREACH, SHARE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION, CONDUCT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING, AND DURING CLIMATE STRESSOR OR DISASTER EVENTS WOULD BE ACTIVATED TO ASSIST AN IN AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL TO FULFILL THE CITY'S COMMITMENTS TO BETTER PREPARE FOR DISASTERS, ENHANCE EQUITABLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND LEVERAGE TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHWS AND COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS ARE ACCESSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING HARM AND SAVING LIVES.
THIS SPEAKS TO THE CRITICAL NEED FOR A DEDICATED CHW CHW STRIKE TEAM.
UM, I JUST WANNA START OFF BY SAYING, UM, I'M, I'M GLAD I WAS PICKED FOR THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE I DID.
UM, JUST BEING FROM AUSTIN MY WHOLE LIFE, I, I'M AT AUSTIN KNIGHTS.
I DEFINITELY SEE THE CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY THAT, WELL, THE DRASTIC CHANGE THAT HAPPENS.
SO WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD RENT, YOU KNOW, UM, NOT, NOT TO, YOU KNOW, ALONG WITH THE OTHER DEBT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE, LIKE CREDIT CARD OR STUDENT LOANS, YOU KNOW, OR JUST HAVING TO TAKE OUT PERSONAL LOANS, UM, JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
BUT THAT'S KIND OF STILL PUTTING YOURSELF BACK IN DEBT.
SO, UM, JUST LIKE BEING, LIKE I SAID, BEING FROM HERE, EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP, BUT WHAT HASN'T GONE UP IS OUR WAGES.
UM, IT, IT MATHEMATICALLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, UH, TO HAVE EVERYTHING RENT.
1200 FOOD IS AT THE PRICE THAT IT IS.
AND THEN YOU CAN'T GET MEDICAID OR FOOD STAMPS BECAUSE YOU, YOU'RE WORKING AND THEY TAKE THOSE BENEFITS, THOSE BENEFITS FROM YOU BECAUSE YOU MIGHT BE MAKING JUST 20 AN HOUR, AND THAT'S TOO MUCH FOR THEM.
SO THIS PROGRAM IS IN PLACE FOR, BASICALLY, IT IS A GUARANTEED INCOME, LIKE, LIKE IT SAYS.
SO PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO MEET THOSE IN.
SO I WAS ABLE TO BUY GROCERIES BECAUSE THEY TAKE, THEY TOOK MY FOOD SANDWICHES BECAUSE I HAD GOT A DOLLAR RAISE.
UM, I HAD TO GO TO MEDI, MY KIDS WENT FROM MEDICAID TO CHIP.
UM, SO THAT AUTOMATICALLY MADE ME HAVE TO START PAYING FOR DOCTOR VISITS.
SO ME GETTING A RAISE KIND OF PUT ME AT LIKE, SHOULD I, SHOULD I GET A RAISE OR SHOULD I JUST STAY AT THE MINIMUM? WHICH EVERYBODY KNOWS WE CAN'T, YOU CAN'T, EVERYBODY'S TRYING TO MAKE SOME MONEY AND ANY WAY THEY CAN.
PEOPLE ARE HAVING TWO JOBS, PEOPLE ARE DOING FAVORED, UH, UBER EATS ALL THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT, IT DOESN'T ADD UP MATHEMATICALLY FOR EVERYTHING TO BE SO HIGH.
AND THEN OUR WAGES IS STILL NOT UP.
LIKE THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAD ALREADY PROMISED US THAT THEY WERE GONNA SWAY THE, THE MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD HAVE BEEN $20 AND PEOPLE, THANK YOU.
I'M GONNA TRY OUR SPANISH SPEAKER ONE MORE TIME.
MARIA DE LOS ANGELES TORE MARIA THIS MARIA MARIA INTERPRET, AND ALSO I BELIEVE WE HAVE LOU TAPIA IS HERE NOW.
[02:40:01]
TAPIA, AND I'M A BENEFICIARY OF A, UH, PILOT SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT THAT STABILIZES, UM, FAMILIES WITH A GUARANTEED INCOME.THIS GRANT OR SCHOLARSHIP BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS MARKING A GREAT DIFFERENCE, AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE BEING FINANCED AND WITHIN THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT YEAR SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEED MAY STILL RECEIVE THIS BENEFIT.
I'VE WORKED FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS CLEANING HOUSES FOR MANY FAMILIES.
I ALSO DO SOME, SOME JOBS WITH THE CARE OF CHILDREN OR THEIR PETS.
THIS YEAR I AM TURNING 60 YEARS OLD, AND SO MY ABILITY TO WORK HAS BEEN REDUCED AND TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION ALSO THAT A CLIENT OF MANY YEARS HAS PASSED AND ANOTHER ONE HAD A SEPARATION.
THEREFORE, MY WORK HAS DIMINISHED A CC.
I ALSO HAVE A GRANDSON WHO I HAVE, UM, RAISED SINCE HE WAS SIX MONTHS OLD.
HE JUST TURNED 18 AND HE JUST GRADUATED.
AND HE'S GONNA GO ATTEND A CC, AND I WISH TO SUPPORT HIM SO THAT HE CAN, UM, MEET HIS GOALS, ACCOMPLISH HIS OBJECTIVES.
FOR THIS REASON, THIS SCHOLARSHIP AT THIS TIME IS A GREAT BLESSING THAT WOULD HELP IN THE ECONOMY OF MY HOME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
I'M GONNA RETURN TO REMOTE SPEAKERS.
SARAH, ARE YOU ONLINE? KABA WHITE.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC CITIZENS TEXAS OFFICE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I SPOKE EARLIER, UH, ON THE TAX RATE ELECTION, UH, ISSUE AND MENTIONED THAT THERE IS, UH, A LACK OF FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR CLIMATE ISSUES.
AND I DO WANNA THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL AND HIS STAFF FOR, UH, WORKING TO GET SOME OF THAT, UH, CORRECTED IN THE, UH, TRE SCENARIOS.
UM, BUT ONE THING THAT I DID NOTICE IS THAT, UH, MOST OF THE CLIMATE FUNDING, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE REVOLVING FUND ISN'T BEING, UH, ISN'T SHOWING UP ON THAT LIST UNTIL YOU GET TO THE 8 CENT INCREASE RANGE.
UM, SO I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF Y'ALL TO, UH, SUPPORT THAT AT WHATEVER LEVEL, UH, IS DECIDED ON THE TRE AND TO ALSO SUPPORT A PROPOSAL THAT I THINK WILL BE COMING, UH, TO HAVE A STAFF PERSON, AN ENERGY MANAGER, TO ACTUALLY MANAGE THOSE FUNDS THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR UPGRADING CITY BUILDINGS AND REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
AND I JUST WANNA POINT OUT THAT, UM, THIS IS A REALLY CRITICAL TIME FOR INVESTMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ENTIRELY TURNED ITS BACK ON THE WHOLE IDEA OF CLIMATE CHANGE, LET ALONE CLIMATE ACTION.
AND YET THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTING AND TEXANS AND AUSTINITES ARE SUFFERING.
WE CANNOT, UH, CONTINUE WITH THE STATUS QUO.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OFFICE OF CLIMATE ACTION AND RESILIENCE REQUESTED NINE NEW POSITIONS AND HAS RECEIVED, UH, ZERO OF THOSE POSITIONS IN THE BASE BUDGET.
AND I CALL UPON ALL OF YOU TO RECTIFY THAT IN THE BUDGET THAT YOU DO PASS AND, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THAT FUNDING IS, YOU KNOW, PUT IN, IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY, NOT JUST IN A ONE TIME.
THAT IS AN ONGOING NEED TO ACTUALLY MEET THE, UM, GOALS OF THE AUSTIN CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN.
UM, AND, UH, I JUST, YOU KNOW, WANTED TO, UM, THANK YOU PARTICULARLY POINT OUT THAT I FOUND IT.
[02:45:01]
JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS.HELLO, UM, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
UH, MY NAME IS JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS.
I LIVE IN THE FIFTH FLOOR AREA AND I'M A MEMBER OF DSA AS WELL AS NEVER AGAIN ACTION.
AND I'M CALLING ON COUNCIL TO MAKE NO INCREASES TO THE POLICE BUDGET.
UM, SO TO REVOKE THE PROPOSED INCREASES FOR THIS YEAR AS WE'RE ALREADY ANTICIPATING A DEFICIT AND WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR POLICE BUDGET IN LATER YEARS.
AND I'M ALSO CALLING ON YOU COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET DEMANDS AND INVEST IN THE SPECIFIC DEMANDS THAT ARE ALREADY OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDE INVESTMENTS MADE IN JOBS AND HOUSING FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES, EMS, MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAMS AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS, CLIMATE RESILIENCY AND MORE.
AS KIVA WAS JUST MENTIONING, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR STATE ARE EXPANDING, UM, CLIMATE DENIAL, XENOPHOBIC, RACIST AND UNJUST POLICING JAILS AND MILITARISM ACROSS OUR CITY WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS.
AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR MY LOCAL TAX DOLLARS TO BE USED IN THE SAME WAY.
SO I'M CALLING ON YOU COUNCIL TO ALLOCATE OUR BUDGET TO MEET AUSTINITES FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS OF HOUSING, OF HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, AND INCOME SUPPORT.
THESE ARE WHAT ACTUAL PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS LOOK LIKE, NOT THE POLICE, AND THEY HELP US STAY CARED FOR IN THE LONG HAUL.
EMPIRICAL STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STATE LEVEL SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES THAT INCLUDE HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND INCOME SUPPORT ARE LINKED TO LOWER HOMICIDE RATES, ESPECIALLY IN LOW INCOME AREAS.
THESE INVESTMENTS, STRENGTH, NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY, AND REDUCE VIOLENCE BY ADDRESSING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PERMANENT AFFORD HOSPITAL, EMERGENCY JAIL AND SHELTER COSTS.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS BRIDGET TOBIN.
I'M AN OPTIM AND A LONGTIME STUDENT WORKER AT RESIDENT.
I'M AN ALUMNI FROM UT'S SOCIAL WORK ADMINISTRATION POLICY PROGRAM.
I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND A FEW THINGS ABOUT FUNDING EFFECTIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMS COST EFFECTI AS USUAL, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PAID AGAINST EACH OTHER AND BUDGET THE COST OF IS HIGH.
AND AS THE MAYOR RIGHTFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED, PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT AUSTIN.
IT'S NOT JUST EMERGENCY SERVICE AND CITY WORKERS WHO WILL NEED RACES THAT ALIGN WITH COST OF LIVING.
I DON'T THINK WE CAN HAVE A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT EXPENDITURES CONTINUING TO INCREASE WITHOUT REALLY GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TRULY SOLVE COSTLY SOCIAL PROGRAM PROBLEMS IN THE LONG TERM.
CLEARLY SHORT TERM BANDAID SOLUTIONS NATIONWIDE HAVE WIDENED INCOME INEQUALITY.
IT'S NOT A MORAL POSITION, IT'S ECONOMIC.
THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT GROWING DEFICITS.
THE BEST WAY TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IS TO DEMAND PRE PREVENTATIVE PROGRAMS THAT GIVE A HIGH RETURN OF INVESTMENT FOR OUR CITY.
LONG TERM INVESTING IN WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT AND REENTRY NAVIGATORS, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN CONNECT PEOPLE TO JOBS AND HOUSING, ALLOWING THEM TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY MUCH SOONER AND AVOID COSTLY RECIDIVISM.
PROGRAMS LIKE THOSE IN THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAVE ALREADY HELPED US LOWER VIOLENT CRIME AND HOMICIDES.
THESE ARE THE SAME TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT WILL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER THROUGH THE SAME TYPE OF PROGRAMS THAT WILL GET PEOPLE TO SPEND MORE TIME SHOPPING IN AUSTIN.
I UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF FINDING A SOLUTION BY INCREASING OUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE LOOKING AT HOW TO INCREASE OUR SALES TAX REVENUE.
MANY OF THE LOWEST PAID AND MIDDLE CLASS WORKERS HAVE MOVED OUT OF AUSTIN, BUT IN TERMS OF REVENUE, THEY STILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY.
IT SAID IT HAS BEEN FLAT SINCE 2020.
PEOPLE DON'T WANNA SPEND FOOD ON FOOD DRINKS IN RETAIL.
PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO EAT, DRINK AND HAVE FUN IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
ANYONE EXPECTING GROWTH IN SALES TAX REVENUE TO COME ONLY FROM TOURISTS IS MISSING THE, THE VALUE OF OUR LOCALS AND THEIR POTENTIAL SPENDING POWER.
UH, THE FLAT REVENUE MAY SEEM NORMAL BECAUSE OF INFLATION BEING HIGH.
AND PEOPLE'S DISPOSABLE INCOME IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW.
MY AUSTIN WAS A PLACE, THE WORKING CLASS WHO WENT OUT TO EAT EVEN HAVE A LONG DAY.
I ALREADY SPOKE EARLIER AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD.
IS IT POSSIBLE I COULD DONATE MY TIME? NO, I'M SORRY.
YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT REMOTELY.
HI, MY NAME IS JULIA VAUGHN ALEXANDER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND AS MANY HAVE SAID, WE NEED A
[02:50:01]
BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN COMMUNITIES AND OUR FUTURE.UNFORTUNATELY, THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED ISN'T REALLY DOING THAT, BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET HAS A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS IN TERMS OF HOW WE COULD DO THAT.
IT'S BEEN A REALLY HARD TIME AS THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE ATTACKING OUR VALUES AND WE NEED OUR CITY TO PUSH BACK.
I WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HAVE SEEN DEVASTATING IMPACTS OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS AND THAT'S DIRECTLY IMPACTING SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES IN AUSTIN.
AUSTIN SHOULD PROVIDE FUNDING TO ENSURE EVERY AUSTIN CHILD HAS ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS, EVEN WITHOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WAS USED FOR THE MOBILE VACCINE CLINIC STAFF.
WE ALSO NEED TO FULLY FUND OPTUM PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR STD PREVENTION, HIV CLINICS, DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND REFUGEE HEALTH PROGRAMS. FINALLY FUNDING THE HEALTH EQUITY DIVISION, UM, AND INCLUDING UNDOING RACISM TRAINING ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES FOR OUR AUSTIN AND OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHIER, SAFER, AND SUPPORT OUR FUTURE.
SO PLEASE INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND NOT IN THE POLICE BUDGET.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE MARIA ON THE LINE, SO I'M GONNA TRY ONE MORE TIME.
MARIA DE LOS ANGELES TORRES MARIA.
MY NAME IS MARIA ROSAS AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO, UM, TELL YOU TO FOR THIS PROGRAM, THE TOGETHER PROGRAM TO NOT END BECAUSE IN TRUTH, IT WAS VERY PRODUCTIVE FOR US UE IN 20 19, 1 OF MY LAST, AND IN 20 19, 1 OF MY LEGS WAS AMPUTATED.
AND THEN IN, IN 2021, UH, THE OTHER LEG WAS AMPUTATED.
WE WERE GIVEN SUPPORT FROM YEARS 22 TO 23.
AND THEN IN 23, UM, MY PARTNER HAD A STAPLE GET ON HIS, GET ON HIS FOOT, AND HE ALSO HAD TO HAVE HIS FOOT AMPUTATED.
AND THANKS TO THAT PROGRAM WE WERE ABLE TO SURVIVE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE.
AND THANKS TO THE PROGRAM WE WERE ABLE TO SURVIVE.
WE WERE ABLE TO PAY THE RENT, WE WERE ABLE TO PAY FOR FOOD.
AND SO I GIVE THANKS TO THAT PROGRAM THAT HELPS THE PEOPLE, THE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED.
AND SO CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE THE, THE SAME SOURCE OF INCOME.
I DON'T WORK ANYMORE AND MY HUSBAND DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH WORK EITHER BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH, UH, OR INADEQUATE BALANCE WITH BECAUSE OF HIS FOOT.
[02:55:19]
AND SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE FOR ALL THE FAMILIES IN NEED.UM, I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATIVE WORK OF AUSTIN'S EQUITY OFFICE, WHICH IS NOW THE EQUITY DIVISION AND THE OFFICE OF EQUITY INCLUSION, INCLUDING RESTORING THE CUTS AND FUND, FULLY FUNDING THE UNDOING RACISM TRAININGS BY THE PEOPLE'S INSTITUTE FOR SURVIVAL AND BEYOND.
THESE TRAININGS HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT WITH BOTH CITY STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND HAVE HELPED BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRUST FOR THE FAR HARD WORK THAT WE ALL HAVE AHEAD OF US.
I ALSO URGE YOU TO FIND AUSTIN'S FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM AND ITS CURRENT BUDGET, AS YOU'VE HEARD SO MOVINGLY FROM MANY SPEAKERS.
THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CRUCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MOMENTS OF GREAT VULNERABILITY ABILITY OVERALL, I HAVE TO SAY I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE PRO PROPOSED BUDGET.
IT DOES NOT REFLECT WHAT AUSTIN VOTERS HAVE SAID IS IMPORTANT, AND IT DOESN'T REFLECT THE VALUES OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH WAS DRAFTED TOGETHER BY 32 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE CITY.
IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS THE CITY, I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THEIR BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING THE TWO THAT I JUST MENTIONED, AS WELL AS AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS, TRAUMA RECOVERY, AND 24 7 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND OTHER KEY REQUESTS.
ADDITIONALLY, SINCE BY STATE LAW, THE POLICE BUDGET CAN'T BE REDUCED.
IT'S VITAL NOT TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE POLICE BUDGET, INCLUDING THE MIN MUNICIPAL COURT PROGRAM.
OUR VAL COMMUNITY VALUES ARE BEING ATTACKED AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS, AND IT'S UP TO US TO RESIST THESE ASSAULTS AND DEFEND THE ADVANCES WE'VE MADE BY FUNDING EFFORTS THAT BRING US REAL SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CARE.
I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS PAT VARES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE.
I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU OPPOSE THE REDUCTIONS IN FUNDING FOR THE ANIMAL SPECIALTY SURGERIES AND FOR EMERGENCY VET SERVICES FOR LOST AND INJURED ANIMALS.
IN JUSTIFYING THESE CUTS, ANIMAL SERVICES WROTE THAT THEY REVIEWED THE BUDGET REQUEST OR THE BUDGET AND THEY CUT OUT THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE FURTHEST AWAY FROM THEIR CORE MISSIONS.
UM, I DO NOT THINK THAT, UM, PROVIDING ANIMALS VETERINARY CARE AND PROVIDING FOR LOST AND INJURED ANIMALS IS FAR AWAY FROM ITS CORE MISSION.
IT IS INDEED WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.
AND WHAT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKING GROUP TALKED ABOUT WAS VETERINARY SERVICES.
UM, THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY IDENTIFIED THAT IT WAS BEYOND THE LEVEL OF CARE REQUIRED UNDER STATE LAW.
STATE LAW IS VERY MINIMAL AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN ANIMAL SERVICES AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU FUND IN ANIMAL SERVICES GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND THE MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS OF STATE LAW.
SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THOSE ARE GOOD JUSTIFICATIONS.
THE WORST THING THERE IS SAYING THAT, UM, PEOPLE FIND A LOSS.
AN INJURED ANIMAL SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANIMAL CARE AND THEIR ASSOCIATED COSTS.
THAT IS NOT RIGHT AND THAT IS NOT WHAT AUSTIN DOES.
WHETHER IT'S TRUE THAT MOST CITIES REQUIRE FINDERS TO FIND A LOST OR INJURED ANIMAL TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANIMAL CARE AND ASSOCIATED CAUSE, I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE.
BUT EVEN IF IT IS, I DO NOT THINK OUR STANDARD SHOULD BE DO WHAT OTHER CITIES DO.
WE ARE AN ANIMAL FRIENDLY CITY.
WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR LEADERSHIP ON ANIMAL CARE, AND WE SHOULD NOT LOWER OUR STANDARDS.
AND PLEASE THANK YOU FOR THE FUNDING.
HELLO, MY NAME IS HANS MAVERICK.
I'M WITH, UH, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND I'M A RESIDENT OF, UH, CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
UM, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP ORGANIZED AS AN ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HAVE EITHER CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, IMMIGRATION SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, OR BOTH.
[03:00:01]
WE CARE ABOUT DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF INCARCERATION, DETENTION, OR DEPORTATION.UH, WE ARE AWARE OF THE BUDGET CHALLENGES THE CITY IS FACING.
MANY OF THOSE CHALLENGES ARE DUE TO ACTIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
HOWEVER, WE ASSERT THAT HOW A COMMUNITY LIKE AUSTIN TREATS ITS LEAST ADVANTAGE RESIDENTS IS A REFLECTION OF THE CITY'S VALUES AS A WHOLE TO YIELD TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S EXTREME RACIST, ANTI-IMMIGRANT ANTIPORTER PEOPLE AND ANTI L-G-B-T-Q AGENDA SENDS EXACTLY THE WRONG MESSAGE.
IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED $6 MILLION INCREASE IN THE BUDGET FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR MAGISTRATION AND COUNCIL AT FIRST APPEARANCE SERVICES BECAUSE OF HB 1900, THE SO-CALLED BACKS, THE BLUE BILL FROM 2021, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE MONEY FROM THE POLICE BUDGET ONCE IT HAS BEEN ADDED.
THEREFORE, INSTEAD, WE WOULD ASK TO SEE THAT THAT MONEY BE REDIRECTED TO THE MUNICIPAL COURTS FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS CONCERNS LIKE HOMELESSNESS, WORK READINESS AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
HELLO, MY NAME IS NISHA ABRAHAM.
GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, I'VE CALLED AUSTIN HOME FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND I AM A HOMEOWNER.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF AN INCREASE OF A SEVEN TO 8 CENT TAX RATE ELECTION, UM, TO MAKE UP FOR THE BUDGET FALL TO PROTECT CRITICAL SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON.
AUSTINITES ARE LOOKING TO YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL, CITY MEMBERS TO KEEP YOUR CONSTITUENTS SAFE FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON AND THE TEXAS WITH STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE POLITICIANS WHO WISH TO ERADICATE OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR NEEDS.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY NOTED THAT CORE SERVICES ARE THREATENED, INCLUDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERING PROGRAMS, HOUSING TRUST FUND, AND OTHER VITAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.
UNLESS ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS ALLOCATED AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE, LOST 43% OF ITS FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING THIS YEAR, ELIMINATING 95 PHYSICIANS AND CRIPPLING PROGRAMS LIKE MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS AND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE BUDGET IS ALLOCATING INCREASES TO THE POLICE BUDGET, WHICH I URGE YOU ALL TO OPPOSE.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND I'VE SEEN OUR CITY TRANSFORM WHILE I CAME HERE FOR COLLEGE.
THE AUSTIN CULTURE OF KINDNESS, ACCEPTANCE AND CARING FOR EACH OTHER WAS A HUGE REASON I STAYED.
THE EVIDENCE FOR THIS CULTURE COULD BE SEEN PRACTICALLY IN THE ESSENTIAL MUNICIPAL AND CITY SERVICES I'VE USED EVERY DAY OF MY 20 YEARS.
THE 8 CENT INCREASE IS NEEDED WITH SAFEGUARD AND BOLSTER US FROM EXTERNAL PRESSURES FROM STATE AND FEDERAL AUSTERITY MEASURES THAT ARE ONLY MEANT TO HURT US.
I REALLY URGE YOU TO SUPPORT AN 8 CENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, UM, ENSURING EQUITY, RELIABILITY, AND RESILIENCE AND CITY SERVICES FOR ALL LONG TIME AND NEW RESIDENTS ALIKE.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO CITY OF AUSTIN AND I WANNA, UM, THANK THE FOLKS WHO'VE SHOWN UP TODAY WITH A LOT OF FACTS AND DETAILS, THE DATA TO, TO SPEAK TO THE REASON TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
I URGE YOU COUNSEL TO PASS AND ALLOCATE BUDGETING FUNDS FOR ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THREE VALUES TODAY THAT ARE CORE TO, UM, MAINTAINING AUSTIN AS A WONDERFUL CITY THAT IT IS TO LIVE IN.
THE ONE FIRST VALUE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE LIVE IN A CIVIL STATE AND NOT A POLICE STATE.
WE DON'T NEED NO MORE POLICE AND STATE TROOPERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ON IN AUSTIN.
AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE HURT AND INJURED AND TREATED UNFAIRLY.
AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE HARDEST JOB, THE CONSTRUCTION WORK, CLEANING THE HOUSES, WASHING THE DISHES IN THE HOTELS.
SO, UM, UH, WE DON'T NEED TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS TO THE POLICE.
THE OTHER VALUE IS, UM, DEMOCRATIC PARTIC WELL CARING FOR EACH OTHER, AND THAT'S PART OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
UM, AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION IN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT SO THAT PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED IN MAKING AUSTIN THE HEALTHY CITY.
THAT IT IS, THAT IT CAN REMAIN IF WE FUND THESE PROGRAMS. UM, ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT SETS FOR BEING CUT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERING PROGRAM.
UM, I WORKED WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE AT THE, THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN BLACKSHEAR, PROSPECT HILL.
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERING PROGRAM.
WE CREATED, UM, VITAL NATURAL CONSERVATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND THEN FROM THAT SENSE OF ENGAGEMENT, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE WHEN THERE WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE NATURAL GAS, UM, RELEASE VALVES ABOVE THE, THE GROUND AND WE WERE ABLE TO
[03:05:01]
CREATE, UM, A CALL, AN URGENT CALL.SARAH, ARE YOU THERE? OKAY, THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS I HAVE IN THE REMOTE QUEUE RIGHT NOW.
SO I'M GOING TO START WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
I'M GONNA CALL SEVERAL NAMES AT ONCE.
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME DOWN AND SIT AT THE PODIUM.
JUST REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE MICROPHONE BEFORE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
REGINA CYPHERS, SUSAN SPATARO.
AND SUSAN, ARE YOU HERE? YOU HAVE TIME DONATED BY JOHN VIAL.
GER GERALD, GERALD OR HAROLD PLUNKETT? RAYMOND MONTE.
YOU ALSO HAVE TIME DONATED BY JOHN TRAHAN.
WHERE'S MR. MONTE? I, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD SO WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE AND YOU'LL BE READY TO GIVE YOUR TESTIMONY.
TODAY I WANT TO TALK PRIMARILY ABOUT MS. PATARO.
I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT WOULD YOU PUT THAT MICROPHONE CLOSER TO YOUR MOUTH? SORRY,
UM, I WANNA SPEAK ON THE POLICE BUDGET PRIMARILY.
UM, WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE BUDGET AND YOU LOOK AT THE POLICE BUDGET, THE ROLE OF THE POLICE, IT SAYS THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVES THE COMMUNITY THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD BASED PATROLS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IN RESPONSE TO BOTH EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY CALLS COMMITTED TO BEST PRACTICES.
AP FOCUSES ON REDUCING CRIME, ENHANCE, ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY, MANAGING TRAFFIC, AND MAINTAINING A HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE.
AND I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THAT.
IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION THAT MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT HAS.
THEN WE DROP DOWN TO THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME ALLOWS PATROL OFFICERS TO PRACTICE PROACTIVE POLICING AND BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE IN FY 24 AVAILABLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME DECREASED TO 10%, PRIMARILY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT SWORN STAFFING VACANCIES.
SO THIS I THINK, IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION IS NOT BEING HANDLED VERY WELL BECAUSE OF A LACK OF STAFFING.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHART HERE, AND I KNOW YOU ALL PROBABLY HAVE YOUR OWN BUDGET, UM, IT SHOWS THAT IN FY 21, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME WAS 31%.
IT'S DROPPED DOWN TO 10% IN 24, 10% IN 25.
AND, UM, THERE ISN'T AN ENCOURAGEMENT THAT IT WOULD BE MORE THAN THAT IN 26.
SO I THINK THAT'S, UM, AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PIECE OF DATA TO LOOK AT.
IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE SPECIFIC BUDGET.
LAST YEAR, A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN A PA AND THE CITY.
THOSE THAT VALUE PUBLIC SAFETY, AS I CERTAINLY DO, WERE EXCEPTIONALLY PLEASED.
NEW CONTRACT, NEW CHIEF, NEW ASSISTANT MANAGER OVER PUBLIC SAFETY.
I WAS SO HOPEFUL THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW A PD TO UNDO SOME OF THE TERRIBLE DAMAGE INFLICTED ON THIS COMMUNITY.
IN THE FIVE YEAR, UH, EXPERIMENT OF RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY LIVES WERE LOST AND THE SAFETY THAT AUSTIN ONCE HAD DISAPPEARED IN A YEAR AFTER THE EXTENSIVE WORK ON THE POLICE CONTRACT.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT FULLY FUNDING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HOPE THAT WE COULD ENCOURAGE OUR OFFICERS TO STAY AND RECRUIT ADDITIONAL CADETS TO FILL THE 349 VACANT POSITIONS.
BUT SINCE THAT TIME, OFFICERS HAVE SEEN COUNSEL TAKING AWAY CRITICAL TOOLS LIKE LICENSE PLATE READERS AND, AND THE PE PEOPLE WHO REALLY WOULD JUST AS SOON ABOLISH POLICE CONTINUE TO TRY TO UNDERMINE OUR POLICE AND OUR SAFETY.
THIS BUDGET CONTINUES IN THAT VEIN, SADLY ANO A COUPLE OF SPECIFIC ITEMS. UM, 18.3% OF THE POLICE BUDGET IS IN THE CATEGORY OF TRANSFERS OUT DEBT SERVICE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
THIS IS A PASS THROUGH CATEGORY, IT'S NOT MANAGED BY THE CHIEF.
THIS CATEGORY INCREASED AND I'M JUST ROUND OFF HERE FROM $90 MILLION IN 24 TO $99 MILLION IN THE 20, UH, SIX BUDGET.
IF YOU COMPARE THAT BACK TWO YEARS AGO, IT INCREASED $16 MILLION.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF WHAT THESE TRANSFERS ARE AND IF THEY BELONG IN THE POLICE BUDGET.
IN ADDITION, IF THE METHODOLOGY OF BUDGETING REGARDING
[03:10:01]
TRANSFERS OUT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE METHOD APPLIED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.AND I THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE BUDGET.
LOOK AT THAT AGAIN AND MAKE SURE THE SAME STANDARDS APPLY TO POLICE.
$9 MILLION IS BEING CUT FROM OVERTIME AND OVERTIME HOUR AT A TIME AND A HALF RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OFFICERS TO PERFORM DUTIES AND SOMEONE HAS TO WORK MORE THAN 40 HOURS TO GET THE WORK DONE.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE SHIFT FROM SPECIAL UNITS TO PATROL HELPS MITIGATE THE PATROL SHORTAGE, BUT OBVIOUSLY TAKES OFFICERS AWAY FROM THE SPECIAL UNITS.
IT ALSO APPEARS TO ME TO BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE POLICE CONTRACT.
THIS $9 MILLION NEEDS TO BE RESTORED TO THE BUDGET, IN MY OPINION.
ALTHOUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WAS LISTED AS THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING BUDGET, IT IS STRANGE BECAUSE THE PERSONNEL IN THAT DIVISION, UM, IS REDUCED BY $4.2 MILLION.
AND THAT SEEMS ODD IF WE WANT MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
AND THIS HAS BEEN MENTIONED BY OTHERS AND I AGREE.
THE $6 MILLION ILA WITH THE COUNTY FOR, UM, COUNSEL AT FIRST APPEARANCE DOES NOT BELONG IN THE POLICE BUDGET.
THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROGRAM THAT THE COUNTY ADOPTED TO PROVIDE INDIGENT IMMEDIATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION UPON ARREST 24 7 REALLY BELONGS IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
NOT IN, UM, NOT IN THE POLICE BUDGET.
THE CRIME HAS INCREASED AND WE CAN'T IGNORE IT.
MURDERS FROM THE YEAR 2011 AVERAGED AT 32 A YEAR.
SINCE REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY, WE HAVE HAD MURDERS DRIVEN UP TO, LET ME SEE WHERE I'VE GOT MY NUMBER HERE.
UM, OKAY, I'M GONNA GET BACK TO THAT.
SO FROM 32 A YEAR TO AN AVERAGE OF 70 YEARS THAT, THAT'S SERIOUS.
THAT'S A 218% INCREASE IN MURDERS.
PEOPLE ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POLICING.
FATALITIES ON TRAFFIC ARE THE SAME THING IN 2019.
BEFORE WE DEFUNDED POLICE, THERE WERE 88 TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND THE AVERAGE NOW IS 106.
HELLO, MY NAME IS RAYMOND, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR, HOW ARE Y'ALL? I'M SORRY.
YOU NEED TO STATE YOUR FULL NAME.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
UM, TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE UP TOGETHER FAMILY, UH, FINANCIAL STABILIZATION PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE AUSTIN FAMILY STABILIZATION AND LASTED ONE YEAR AND WAS A MAJOR HELP TO MY FAMILY.
MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS FIVE NOW, WAS TWO YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, I WAS ABLE TO GET ALL THE NECESSITIES NEEDED FOR HER EVERY SINGLE MONTH.
RED WAS PAID FOR, FOOD WAS ON THE TABLE.
DIAPERS AND FORMULA WERE PLENTY.
HER BIRTHDAY WAS EPIC AND CHRISTMAS WAS AMAZING.
MIND YOU, I DID HAVE A JOB AT THIS TIME.
THE AMAZING PART ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS THAT FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO STABILIZE THEIR FINANCES AND FOCUS ON RAISING A FAMILY WITH FINANCIAL BURDENS SOMEWHAT TAKEN CARE OF.
IT'S EASIER, IT'S EASIER TO FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND NOT POSSESSIONS.
WHEN I WAS A PART OF THE A FS PROGRAM, UP TOGETHER WAS A KEY PART.
THE ENTIRE TIME, EVERY THREE MONTHS, THEIR PRO, DURING THE PROGRAM UP TOGETHER WOULD SEND AN EMAIL WITH A SURVEY TO CHECK UP ON YOU.
THEY WOULD INCENTIVIZE YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THE THIRD, THE SIXTH, THE NINTH, AND THE 12TH MONTHS.
THEY SENT A SURVEY TO CHECK ON YOU SIX MONTHS AFTER THEY SENT A SURVEY TO SEE HOW YOU WERE DOING AFTER THE PROGRAM.
FOR EXAMPLE, I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RENT BEING PAID EVERY MONTH, ESPECIALLY WITH MY JOB.
IF THERE WERE THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE FILLED, THAT EXTRA MONEY HELPED.
AND WITH THAT, EVEN AFTER THE PROGRAM, IT KEPT ME IN GOOD STANDING WITH PAYING THE RENT, GAS, AND ELECTRIC.
THE BILLS THAT I HAD TROUBLE PAYING BEFORE THE PROGRAM BECAME LESS OF AN ISSUE BECAUSE BUDGETING COMES INTO MIND AND IT DOES NOT LEAVE.
LASTLY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS A SUCCESS AND OTHER FAMILIES WOULD EXTREMELY BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE A THOUGHT IN THE MIND.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN WANTS TO CURVE THE POVERTY PROBLEM.
THEN THIS IS DAY ONE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN WANTS TO BRING FINANCIAL STABILIZATION.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE IT A REALITY FOR SOME, IF NOT ALL.
OKAY, CONTINUING ON QUEEN AND E OE ANGELICA.
SO LILY, HARRIS, CHU, ARI, PARK, SMITH, GIOVANNA, BALDERAS.
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HAVE TIME DONATED BY LAUREN ROSS.LAUREN, ARE YOU HERE? OKAY, THANK YOU.
I'M A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN DISTRICT NINE, AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CLOSING OF THE RECYCLED WEEDS SITE.
IT'S OUTLINED IN THE 20 25 20 26 BUDGET.
UM, I HAVE MULTIPLE REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE PROPOSED CLOSING OR FOR CYCLED READS, AND I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THREE OF THEM.
I OPPOSE THE CLOSING OR FOR CYCLED READS BECAUSE NUMBER ONE, CLOSING THE SITE DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE GOALS OF THE BUDGET GOALS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE CITY MANAGER.
NUMBER TWO, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE 107,000 RECOVERED FROM CLOSING THE SITE WILL BE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE VALUE RECYCLED READS PROVIDES TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND NUMBER THREE, RECYCLED READS IS AN INCREDIBLY VALUABLE PART OF THE COMMUNITY ALREADY, AND TAKING IT AWAY WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE LOSS.
UM, FIRST I DON'T THINK THE CLOSING OF THE SITE ALIGNS WITH THE GOALS OF THE BUDGET THAT HAVE BEEN OUTLINED BY CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, CITY MANAGER, YOU SAID THAT THERE'S THREE CRITICAL FOCUS AREAS FOR THIS BUDGET, ONE OF WHICH IS PRIORITIZING, ENGAGING WITH OUR PEOPLE.
UH, THERE WAS RECYCLED REED SITE HOLDS MULTIPLE EVENTS WEEK AFTER WEEK TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THERE'S, UH, FIBER ARTS CLASSES, TUNISIAN, CROCHET TECH TIME FOR PEOPLE TO BRING IN THEIR DEVICES AND LEARN HOW TO USE IT.
AND IF THAT ISN'T ENGAGING WITH OUR PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.
UM, I ALSO SAW ON THE CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE MESSAGE BOARD THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS MIKE SIEGEL AND ZOE CADRE, UM, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN OUR CITY, AND THIS WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUPPORTING THE TAX RATE INCREASE.
I THINK WE BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCY THROUGH SMALL AND BIG ACTIONS.
SO RECYCLED REEDS TAKES DONATIONS OF HUNDREDS OF MATERIALS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO INTO LANDFILL THAT PEOPLE WOULD THROW AWAY.
UM, AND I BELIEVE THAT CLOSING THE SITE WOULD GO DIRECTLY AGAINST THOSE GOALS THAT YOU'VE OUTLINED.
SECOND, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE 107,000 REDUCTION IN COST WOULD BE BETTER USED ELSEWHERE.
UM, THERE'S ALREADY OTHER BRANCHES THAT HARBOR SECOND RATE SITES ALREADY.
THE 107,000 IS 0.55% OF THE 19.3 MILLION IN SAVINGS THAT THE CITY HAS OUTLINED, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS WORTH CLOSING THE SITE.
UM, IT'S AN INCREDIBLY VALUABLE PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND A RG TO NOT CLOSE IT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND HONORABLE MAYOR.
MY NAME IS GIANNA BALDERAS AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH DEEP GRATITUDE AS A RECIPIENT OF THE FAMILY STABILIZATION OR GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT GRANT.
I'M NOT JUST SPEAKING AS A RECIPIENT, I'M SPEAKING AS A MOTHER, A WOMAN WHO HAS FACED STRUGGLE AND SOMEONE WHO IS FINALLY STEPPING INTO STABILITY BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM.
BEFORE THIS GRANT, EVERY MONTH FELT LIKE A BALANCING ACT, CHOOSING BETWEEN BILLS AND GROCERIES, BETWEEN WORK AND TIME WITH MY SON, I WORKED HARD, BUT IT ALWAYS FELT LIKE I WAS FALLING SHORT.
THERE WERE DAYS I FELT DEFEATED, WONDERING HOW I WAS GOING TO KEEP GOING, BUT WHEN I WAS CHOSEN FOR THIS PROGRAM, IT CHANGED EVERYTHING.
IT GAVE ME SOMETHING I HADN'T FELT IN A VERY LONG TIME, RELIEF, DIGNITY, AND POSSIBILITY.
BECAUSE OF THIS SUPPORT, I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND BECOME A CERTIFIED NURSE AID A DREAM THAT ALWAYS FELT TOO FAR AWAY.
AND NOW I CAN PROVIDE FOR MY SON.
I CAN LOOK HIM INTO THE EYES AND KNOW I'M GIVING HIM A BETTER FUTURE.
THAT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME BEFORE THIS PROGRAM, BUT THIS PROGRAM DIDN'T JUST HELP ME.
IT GAVE MY SON STABILITY, AND IT GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO BREAK OUT OF SURVIVAL MODE AND BUILD SOMETHING LASTING.
IT RECOGNIZES THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME WANT TO WORK, WANT TO GROW, AND WANT TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT TO GET THERE.
THIS GRANT REMINDED ME THAT MY CITY SEES ME, THAT THE CITY BELIEVES IN ME AND WANTS TO LIFT PEOPLE UP, NOT LEAVE THEM BEHIND.
PLEASE, I ASK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, DON'T LET THIS PROGRAM END HERE.
LET MORE FAMILIES FEEL WHAT I FELT THE JOY OF CATCHING THEIR BREATH, THE HOPE OF BUILDING SOMETHING BETTER AND THE STRENGTH TO MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY STORY, AND THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN FAMILIES LIKE MINE.
I'M CEO FOR AMERICAN YOUTH WORKS IN AUSTIN BASED NONPROFIT THAT'S BEEN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
MAYOR PROTO FUENTES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER AND ALL THE CITY STAFF FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS, WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND HANDS-ON SERVICE PROJECTS THAT MEET CRITICAL NEEDS LIKE WILDFIRE MITIGATION, TRAIL SAFETY, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, PARKLAND AND WATERSHED IMPROVEMENTS, FLOOD MITIGATION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORK, AND DISASTER RELIEF.
IN RECENT YEARS, WE PROUDLY SUPPORTED THE AUSTIN CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS WITH OUR TEXAS CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM.
CONTINUING THIS TRADITION, OUR YOUNG ADULT TRAINEES HELPED THE CITY TACKLE BACKLOG MAINTENANCE AND
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PARKS AND PRESERVES WHILE PREPARING FOR FAMILY SUSTAINING CAREERS.AND MANY NOW WORK FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY, INCLUDING ABOUT HALF OF THE URBAN FORESTRY'S CHAINSAW CREWS ARE MADE UP OF OUR ALUMNI.
TO KEEP THIS MOMENTUM, WE NEED CLARITY IN THE BUDGET CYCLE ON FUNDING FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP.
BECAUSE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS BUDGETS COMBINE UNDER ONE AGREEMENT, A CLEARLY DEFINED AMOUNT COORDINATED THROUGH A LEAD DEPARTMENT LIKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS CRITICAL FOR RECRUITING OUR NEXT COHORT ON TIME.
WE'RE READY TO WORK WITH STAFF AND ENSURE A SMOOTH FY 26 PROCESS, UH, DELIVERING ESSENTIAL PUBLIC PROJECTS WHILE BUILDING AMER, BUILDING AUSTIN'S FUTURE WORKFORCE.
UM, AND, UH, WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ARE DOING TO ENSURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO CAREERS THAT CAN LEAD THEM TO FAMILY SUSTAINING LIFESTYLES.
HAYDEN, ARE YOU HERE? YOU HAVE TIME DONATED BY MOLLY CARR.
MOLLY, ARE YOU HERE? OKAY, FOUR MINUTES.
JAY POPHAM AND I ALSO HAD A PRESENTATION, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND PULLING IT UP.
DAVE AND BARBER, SCOTT COBB, MICHELLE MANNING, SCOTT, GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
MY NAME'S HAYDEN BAGIT AND I REPRESENT THE COALITION FOR CLEAN, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE ENERGY.
CCARE IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THE ENERGY INTERESTS OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UTILITY CUSTOMERS IN AUSTIN.
OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE MANUFACTURERS, HOUSING PROVIDERS, TECH COMPANIES, AND OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO RAISE CONCERNS WITH AUSTIN ENERGY'S FY 26 BUDGET PROPOSAL TO INCREASE BASE RATES 5% ANNUALLY FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
I'M ALSO HERE TO ASK FOR SENSIBLE GUARDRAILS ON THE GROWTH OF THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER.
TO PUT THIS PROPOSAL IN PERSPECTIVE, WE WOULD SEE A NET 27% INCREASE IN BASE RATES BY 2030.
AUSTIN ENERGY AT THE SAME TIME IS FACING A $90 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
AND ATTRIBUTES THIS TO A SHORTFALL IN EXPANDING CAPITAL PROGRAM, SORRY, UH, TO AN EXPANDING CAPITAL PROGRAM, INFLATION AND SLOWED LOAD GROWTH.
AUSTIN ENERGY ALSO CITES OUTDATED RATES DESPITE THE UTILITY HOLDING A BASE RATE CASE AS RECENTLY AS 2022 AND INCREASING BASE RATES EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN.
BEFORE I MOVE ON, I DO NEED TO FLAG THAT AUSTIN ENERGY'S ADVERTISED $5 BILL DECREASE SHOULD BE SEEN AS TEMPORARY 'CAUSE IT'S BASED ON THE POWER SUPPLY ADJUSTMENT, WHICH CAN SIGNIFICANTLY FLUCTUATE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
AND NOT ONLY WOULD THIS BE THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF SYSTEM-WIDE BASE RATE INCREASES, BUT THE PROPOSAL ALSO FAILS TO MEET ESTABLISHED AFFORDABILITY GOALS.
SPECIFICALLY AUSTIN ENERGY IS REQUIRED TO KEEP AVERAGE RATES AT OR BELOW 2% COMPOUNDED ANNUAL GROWTH AND MAINTAIN CUSTOMER BILLS WITHIN THE LOWER 50% OF BENCHMARK CITIES ACROSS TEXAS.
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD VIOLATE THE SPIRIT OF THE FIRST GOAL, IF NOT BOTH.
ADDITIONALLY, EXTENSIVE EXTENSIVE BASE RATE INCREASES SHOULD REQUIRE A FORMAL BASE RATE CASE WITH STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT.
THIS PLAN SIDESTEPS THAT INDUSTRY STANDARD BY INCREMENTALLY APPROVING WHAT AMOUNTS TO BE A MAJOR RATE HIKE.
THIS PROPOSAL ALSO EXCEEDS AUSTIN ENERGY'S PAST TWO FINANCIAL FORECASTS.
BACK IN MAY 23, AUSTIN ENERGY PRESENTED A 2% ANNUAL BASE RATE INCREASE PLAN, AND RECEIVED APPROVAL FOR THE FIRST OF THESE IN THE FY 24 BUDGET.
LATER IN 2024, AUSTIN ENERGY AGAIN PLANNED 2% BASE RATE INCREASES PER YEAR AND A 7% INCREASE LATER IN THE FORECAST PERIOD.
AUSTIN ENERGY DESCRIBED BOTH OF THESE PLANS AS LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGIES TO MEET COSTS MATCH INFLATION AND PREVENT RATE SHOCK.
BUT AUSTIN ENERGY HAS SINCE PRODUCED A DEEPLY UNBALANCED BUDGET, AND NOW I CAN UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO RAISE RATES TO MEET COSTS, BUT THIS PROPOSAL BECOMES FAR MORE PROBLEMATIC WHEN YOU CONSIDER ONE OF AUSTIN ENERGY'S LARGEST YET MOST CONTROLLABLE EXPENSES.
THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER CITY COUNCIL INCREASED THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER BY $10 MILLION IN FY 25 AND IS CONSIDERING ANOTHER $14 MILLION INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.
THAT'S A 21% INCREASE IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS, BUT THE PACE OF GENERAL FUND TRANSFER GROWTH IS ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM.
YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WHERE AUSTIN ENERGY IS ALLOCATING THE MAJORITY OF THE REVENUE FROM ITS RATE INCREASES.
LAST YEAR'S GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TOOK 71% OF THAT NEW REVENUE.
THIS YEAR'S PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE 14 MILLION GENERAL FUND TRANSFER INCREASE, AND THAT WOULD CLAIM 36% OF NEW REVENUE.
I'LL ALSO REMIND YOU THAT LAST YEAR'S FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST COMMITTED TO CAPPING GENERAL