Happy City Council meeting day! City Council members are staring down a 221-item agenda today. Here’s some highlights:
💰 Austin Water Wants More Money for Longhorn Dam
Austin Water is requesting more than $2.3 million for safety improvements to Longhorn Dam in East Austin. The money, which would come from future tax-exempt general obligation bonds, would go toward updating gratings, ladders, guardrails, and mechanical and electrical systems, among other improvements.
🤔 A Public Hearing Will Be Held About Texas Gas Service Rates
In June, Texas Gas Service announced it wanted to increase its revenue by $25.8 million, which would lead to a 31% increase in fees for its residential customers. The new rates were supposed to go into effect Aug. 1, but the City of Austin was able to suspend the date by 90 days. Now, City Council members will hear how the public feels about the rates during today’s meeting.
🌳 The City Could Buy 212 Acres West of Town
The city’s Financial Services Department wants to spend at least $7 million to buy a conservation easement for 212 acres within the Barton Creek Watershed. A conservation easement is an agreement where a landowner would be required to protect the land’s natural features. Department officials say the easement acquisition would safeguard Barton Creek and the Edwards Aquifer from possible development pollution. “This may be one of the last chances to protect open space in this area as development pressure continues to mount,” the agenda item says.
Don’t forget: If you want to speak at the meeting, you must sign up in person at City Hall by 9:15 a.m. The meeting starts at 10 a.m.
