Mayor Kirk Watson recently proposed a new Comprehensive Efficiency Assessment (CEA) for the City of Austin. On its face, the proposal has merit. The "comprehensive" designation stems from its focus on department-by-department auditing, offering a chance at genuine insights that yield operational improvements. This is a significantly better approach than …
[MORE]This November's police staffing measure will cost more than official estimates.
The City's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) released a series of much-cited cost scenarios for Save Austin Now's police staffing ballot measure. However, a critical look at the core assumptions behind those scenarios reveals that the likely costs for Proposition …
[MORE]A set of proposals to improve the City of Austin's community engagement routines.
1. Verified, digital "preference" voting platform
Austinites should be able to register to "vote" on a web application that allows them to express their support on public matters before Council (or other public bodies). Identity must be …
[MORE]The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan should be the focus of next year’s City transportation bond, not (necessarily) Project Connect.
Existing and envisioned mode share from the adopted Austin Strategic Mobility Plan
Presently, there is an expectation that City Council will place a substantial transportation-focused bond on next year's ballot …
[MORE]A simple arithmetic error threatens the durability of Austin’s new land development code.
Council Member Casar endorsing a 3x housing capacity multiplier
This past Tuesday, City Council held an extended work session to discuss and attempt to iron out differences on the new land development code. Procedurally, Council's plan …
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