REGULAR MEETING OF THE 2026 BOND ELECTION ADVISORY TASK FORCE MONDAY, February 23, 2026, AT 2:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force may be participating by video conference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nicole Hernandez, 512-974-7644, nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Mary Hager, Chair Ana Aguirre Nicole Conley Richard DePalma Robert Fiedler Donald Jackson Garry Merritt Katrina Miller Rachel Stone David Sullivan Kaiba White CALL TO ORDER Frances Jordan, Vice Chair Tina Cannon Charles Curry JC Dwyer Jeremiah Hendricks Noelita Lugo Luke Metzger Kenneth Standley Ben Suddaby Heyden Walker AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Regular Called meeting on February 09, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Initial Draft Recommendation. Presentation by Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Marcus Hammer, Assistant Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services and Chandler Runnells, Business Process Specialist, Austin Capital Delivery Services. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve revisions to 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Work Plan. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. 5. Update from Stormwater Working Group regarding initial draft recommendation. Update from Affordable Housing Group regarding initial draft recommendation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Nicole Hernandez at Austin Capital Delivery Services Department, at 512-974-7644 and nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force, please contact Nicole Hernandez at 512-974-7644 or nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov.
2026 Bond Initial Draft Recommendation Austin Capital Delivery Services Marcus Hammer, Assistant Director Chandler Runnells, Business Process Specialist Bond Election Advisory Task Force February 23, 2026 2026 Bond Program Process ▪ Call for projects from City departments: June 2024 ▪ Departments created guiding principles, technical criteria, scoring matrix: June – Dec 2024 ▪ BEATF created: October 2024 ▪ Departments scored & prioritized projects: January – July 2025 ▪ Departments presented guiding principles, technical criteria, scoring matrix: March - July 2025 ▪ Staff provided a summary of Survey I findings: July 2025 ▪ Staff released $3.7B initial prioritized Bond project list: July 2025 ▪ Project Review Board met and scored projects and programs: October 2025 ▪ 3 BEATF-led listening sessions and summary of findings: November & December 2025 ▪ Staff released Initial Draft Bond recommendation: January 2026 ▪ 5 Open House events and Survey II released: February 2026 2 Peer City Analysis Austin 2012-2022 Bond Programs (Millions) % Propositions Propositions Transportation Parks & Recreation Watershed Public Safety Library, Museum & Cultural Arts Facilities Affordable Housing Water Quality Protection Land Health & Human Services 1,483.3 52% 226.7 112 69.1 141.4 665 102 27.1 8% 4% 2% 5% 24% 4% 1% Street and Transportation Park and Recreation Facilities Flood Protection and Storm Drainage Public Safety Facilities Library Facilities Housing & Neighborhood Infrastructure Economic Development Cultural and Performing Arts Homeless Assistance Facilities Information Technology Facilities Dallas San Antonio 2012-2029 Bond Program (Millions) 1,315.8 607.1 427.3 122.1 59.1 26.4 182.7 89.4 39 5 % Propositions 46% 21% Transportation Parks, Recreation & Open Space 15% Drainage & Flood Control 4% Public Safety Facilities 2% Library, Museum, & Cultural Arts Facilities 1% Affordable Housing 2012-2027 Bond Program (Millions) 1,254.3 546.4 436.9 127 111.4 150 % 48% 21% 17% 5% 4% 6% 6% 3% 1% 0% Total $2.83B 100% Total $2.87B 100% Total $2.63B 100% 3 Austin’s Bond History 2012-2022 Bond Program - $2.83B GO Bond $ (Millions) Propositions Transportation Affordable Housing Parks & Recreation Water Quality Protection Land Watershed Public Safety Library, Museum & Cultural Arts Facilities Health & Human Services 1,483.3 665 226.7 102 112 69.1 141.4 27.1 % 52% 24% 8% 4% 4% 2% 5% 1% Total $2.83B 100% 4 2023-25 Bond Election Data November 2025, Municipal Bond Elections Summary Elections Total Propositions Bonds Carried % Passed 27 $834M $243M 29.16% November 2024, Municipal Bond Elections Summary Elections Total Propositions Bonds Carried % Passed 9 …
BEATF WORK PLAN [February 2026 – May 2026] February 2026 • 2.23.26 BEATF Meeting o City Staff Presentation on Initial Recommendations o Stormwater Working Group Presentation of Initial Recommendations o Affordable Housing Working Group Presentation of Initial Recommendations March 2026 • Working Groups meeting per schedule • 3.9.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion of Initial Working Group Recommendations o [additional agenda items] • 3.23.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentation and Discussion of Updated Working Group Recommendations o [additional agenda items] April 2026 • 4.13.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations o [additional agenda items] • 4.27.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations o [additional agenda items] May 2026 • 5.4.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations o [additional agenda items]
2026 BEATF STORMWATER WORKGROUP INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOND FUNDING BEATF STORMWATER WORKGROUP MEMBERS Nicole Conley Mayor’s Office Frances Jordan District 2 Ana Aguirre District 2 Richard DePalma District 5 Robert Fielder District 6 Jeremy Hendricks District 7 Katrina Miller, District 8 WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION PROTECTS THE LIVES, PROPERTY, AND ENVIRONMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY BY REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF FLOODING, EROSION, AND WATER POLLUTION. REVIEW PROCESS - INPUT • CITY COUNCIL • BEATF MEETINGS • PRIMARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT • STAFF RECOMMENDED PROJECTS • COMMUNITY • SURVEYS (2ND PENDING) • CITIZEN SUBMITTED PROJECTS • COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS • COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES SESSIONS (CURRENTLY ONGOING) • WORKGROUP MEETINGS – WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS & CITIZEN’S COMMUNICATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR 2026 BOND FUNDING 08-04-2025 Project Name Project Type Dist. Estimate Requestor Scope/Description 77 Longhorn Dam Resiliency Improvements Dam Modernization 40,000,000 Austin Water The comprehensive refurbishment of critical infrastructure components at the Longhorn Dam, specifically the two bascule gates, seven flood gates, seven hoisting mechanisms with associated cables, and the dam structure itself. The primary focus of this endeavor is the meticulous removal and replacement of protective coatings on each gate. Project elements would include: coating restoration process, structural member restoration and/or replacement, repairs of seals, rollers, and cables, or associated repair or replacement, gate hoist refurbishment, overhaul of electrical components and lighting systems NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR 2026 BOND FUNDING 78 Project Name Emma Long Alternative Water Supply Project Project Type Water Supply Dist. Estimate Requestor Scope/Description 3,600,000 Austin Water Develop an alternative potable water supply for the Emma Long Metropolitan Park. The current 50,000 gal/day package surface water treatment plant that serves the park is reaching the end of its useful life. Possible potable water supply alternatives could include rehabilitation of the existing plant, drilling a ground water well, connection to an alternative nearby public water system or other. In-house deliver, design, and construction for quick delivery of high priority asset management projects. All Multi 36,000,000 Watershed Protection Department 179 180 Resource Account - IDIQ and In-house Project Delivery Creek Flooding Mitigation - Creek Crossings Creek Flood Multi 57,475,000 Watershed Protection Department Flood control improvements to mitigate flood hazards for roadway crossings due to out of bank creek-overflows during extreme storm events. NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR 2026 BOND FUNDING Project Name Project Type Dist. Estimate Requestor Scope/Description 181 Creek Flooding Mitigation - Structures Creek Flood Multi 421,850,000 182 Localized Drainage …
BEATF Housing Work Group Recommendation Feb. 23, 2026 The Need is Great The Need is Great Housing for Low Income Families Surveys revealed this was a high priority for Austinites and the 2026 GO Bond package. 34% of “Respondents expressed significant concern about rising rents, evictions, and displacement, as well as widespread recognition of homelessness as a critical issue. Many called for urgent and sustained investment in affordable housing, shelters, and tenant protections” “Housing and Homelessness” are top responses from surveys and open houses and remain core demands from the community City affordable housing spending is targeted to 30-50% MFI and below, including Permanent Supportive Housing Other Community Benefits Data show that that public investments in low-income housing and homeless services have societal payoffs that exceed the benefits received by the folks housed, including safer streets and reduced social service spending City affordable housing spending priorities include carbon-mitigating strategies, including targeting transit corridors and green building standards such as energy efficient units and solar or alternative energy initiatives, environmental superiority, water conservation, and climate resiliency; Housing Investments create: After-school and summer learning programs for children; Amenities, activities and support services for seniors. Job creation and growth of the local economy Reduction in public costs for services such as emergency room visits and extra counseling for students The City’s Request Homeless Strategy Office asked for $50M to replace the ARCH and a few other shelters with a new facility with many services and beds provides. Also, $15M for a Homeless Resource Center to provide case management and a range of services including directing folks to where they can get food, clothing, and shelter. For housing low-income individuals and families, the request from the Housing Department was $350M, to match the $40M to $80M spent each year over 6 years for projects such as Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Caritas and others in creating housing units. Homes are provided either as rental housing (RHDA) or for home-ownership (OHDA). In almost all cases, the City’s contribution is a fraction of the total project cost but is required to complete the entire package. The City also has a Partnership program and a Home Repair program. Reality We recognize the constraints in the size of a 2026 (or 2028) GO bond and the many demands for transportation infrastructure, parks, …
2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, February 23, 2026 The 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force convened in a Regular meeting on Monday February 23, 2026, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Hager called the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Meeting to order at 2:04p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Mary Hager, Chair Ana Aguirre Nicole Conley Charles Curry Richard DePalma JC Dwyer Robert Fiedler Donald Jackson Rachel Stone David Sullivan Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Garry Merritt Ben Suddaby Heyden Walker Kaiba White PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Mel Leblanc- Spoke to the Task Force to recommend funding for Affordable Housing. • Vincent Warwick- Spoke to the Task Force to please consider affordable housing in the upcoming bond election. 1 • Amy Chicola- Spoke to the Task Force about permanent and supportive affordable housing. • Joi Chevalier- Spoke to the Task Force in support of farmland preservation. • Zenobia Joseph-Spoke to the Task Force about the inequities in transit and safety issues northeast of US-183 • Scott Johnson- Spoke to the Task Force about focusing on safety, connectivity and air quality benefits. • Andy Smith- Spoke to the Task Force in support of farmland preservation. • Cindi Reid- Spoke to the Task Force about what is in alignment with what is the public giving feedback and engagement and in the inequities North of 183. • Sol Praxis- Spoke to the Task Force in support of affordable housing and the need in Austin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Regular Called meeting on February 09, 2026. The minutes from the meeting of (2/09/2026) were approved on MEMBER Sullivan’s motion, MEMBER Hager’s second on a (13-0) vote. Member Jackson abstaining and Members Cannon, Hendricks, Jordan, Lugo, Metzger, Miller and Standley absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Initial Draft Recommendation. Presentation by Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Marcus Hammer, Assistant Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services and Chandler Runnells, Business Process Specialist, Austin Capital Delivery Services. The presentation was made by Marcus Hammer, Assistant Director and Chandler Runnells, Business Process Specialist Austin Capital Delivery Services. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve revisions to 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Work Plan. No action revisions or action taken. Public Comment: - Zenobia Joseph spoke to the Task Force requesting greater transparency on the Gus Garcia project cost …
