WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 2, 2025 The Water and Wastewater Commission Budget Committee convened in a regular called meeting on June 2, 2025 at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Marcela Tuñón called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 9:05 a.m. Budget Committee Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Marcela Tuñón and Vice Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines Budget Committee Commissioners Absent: Mike Reyes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no speakers registered. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Austin Water Financial Forecast Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Update Austin Water Assistant Director of Financial Services, Joseph Gonzales gave a presentation. The commissioners discussed the information presented. Austin Water Financial Manager Christina Romero assisted in answering questions. 2. Review Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Schedule Austin Water Assistant Director of Financial Services, Joseph Gonzales presented the budget schedule. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 3. Review and possible action to approve the 2025 Budget Committee meeting schedule The Budget Committee will review availability to schedule a follow-up meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion of future agenda items. No discussion was held. ADJOURNMENT Chair Tuñón adjourned the meeting at 10:34 a.m.
Austin Water Austin Water Forecast Operating Requirements Cost Drivers FY2026 Forecast $831.7 M FY2025 Amended Budget $773.6 M $58.1 M City-wide cost drivers $4.4 million increase in City-wide wage adjustment $1.1 million increase in Health Insurance $0.6 million increase in Employee retirement contribution $0.4 million increase in Fleet Fuel and Maintenance Department-wide cost drivers • $21.0 million increase in Transfers Out primarily due to increased CIP Cash Financing transfers • $15.0 million increase in Debt Service Requirements resulting from capital spending plan growth and increases in scheduled debt service payments • $8.4 million increase in wages due to unbudgeted retention stipend conversion • $1.9 million increase in chemical and electric services costs • $1.6 million increase in contractual and commodities inflation cost • $1.1 million increase in commercial paper admin expenses and bond issuance cost • $1.0 million increase in uniform and signage costs for City-wide branding transition • $0.7 million increase in wildland conservation land management and conservation plan consulting services cost • $0.6 million increase in large diameter valves, pump, and electric motor replacement and maintenance cost • $0.6 million increase in Wastewater treatment filter media replacement cost • $0.6 million increase in bio-solid reuse services • ($2.4) million decrease in utility billing system support Impact of new positions • $1.5 million increase for 13 new Temp Conversion FTEs
Austin Water FY26 Forecast Staffing Request Summary Title Customer Experience & Satisfaction Customer Service Rep Sr Temporary/Contractor to Permanent Number of Positions Justification 1 This position offers direct customer service and support AW's Customer Service Contact Center (dispatch) team, which operates 24/7, 365 days a year. It converts four temporary positions into full-time budgeted roles. Customer Experience & Satisfaction Total 1 Enterprise Resiliency Coord, Project Treatment O & M Tech Senior Enterprise Resiliency Total Operational Optimization AW Pipeline Technician Sr AW Pipeline Technician Sr Business Process Spec IT Support Specialist Sr 1 This position will replace a temporary employee and will inspect existing water and wastewater infrastructure in the right-of-way. This is to prevent and minimize damage to the AW infrastructure and avoid interruptions to water and wastewater services during fiber optic and telecom projects. 2 These positions will replace temporary employees and conduct AW's required inspections and activities of 141 AW Lift Stations and 14 Odor control facilities weekly while also assisting with the maintenance of more than 70 fixed and 20 portable generators. 3 1 This position replaces a current temporary employee and is vital in promoting environmental stewardship and reducing sanitary sewer overflows to comply with the requirements set by EPA and TCEQ. The responsibilities include conducting wastewater manhole inspections, performing smoke testing, and walking through creeks to identify issues and prevent emergencies. 1 This position replaces a current temporary employee and is vital in promoting environmental stewardship and reducing sanitary sewer overflows to comply with the requirements set by EPA and TCEQ. The responsibilities include conducting wastewater manhole inspections, performing smoke testing, and walking through creeks to identify issues and prevent emergencies. 1 This position replaces a temporary employee and expands data management and interpretation capabilities in Risk Management team; follows up on injuries & collisions; facilitates review boards; oversees corrective actions and makes recommendations. 2 These positions will provide IT Support for PCs/laptops and reduce the tech to device ratio to a supportable 1:230 ratio. Currently there are 1400 PCs/laptops translating to a 1:460 tech to device ratio, and best practice is a 1:75/100 ratio. They replaces a current temporary employees. Ocptnl Health & Safety Spec Sr 1 This position replaces a current temporary employee and develops additional scorecards focused on high-risk but routine work practices addressing both distribution and treatment operational areas: traffic control practices and confined space entry practices. Operational Optimization Total Water …
Regular Called Meeting of the Bond Oversight Commission June 18, 2025, 2:00 P.M to 4:00 P.M Austin City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W 2nd Street, Austin TX 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. 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, call or email Nicole Hernandez, 512-974-7644, nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: John Mc Nabb, Chair Charles Curry, Vice Chair Zachary Bird Ramiro Diaz JC Dwyer Stephen Gonzalez Bob Libal Santiago Rodriguez Kenneth Standley CALL TO ORDER 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. Approval of the minutes of the Regular meeting of the Bond Oversight Commission on May 21, 2025. Staff Briefings 2. Staff briefing from Watershed Protection Department on the bond programs 3. Staff briefing on the Annual Bond Sale by Financial Services Department DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force recent meeting items FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Nicole Hernandez, Capital Delivery Department, at 512-974-7644, for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Bond Oversight Commission, please contact Nicole Hernandez at 512-974-7644.
REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, Jun 18, 2025 7:00 PM – Adjournment City of Austin Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1401/1402 Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Commission on Veteran Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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 comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, email the board liaison at Jesus.Simental@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Michael Mcinerney, Chair Amber Schleuning, Vice Chair Christopher Wilson William Dahlstrom Maria Brown-Spence Armando Gonzales Bryce Laake-Stanfield Anita Carmichael Roberts Jose Reyes VACANT – D6 VACANT – D4 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of May 21, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation and discussion by Sheila Joseph from Front Steps on Phase One of A Step Up Community for homeless veterans. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discuss and vote on the Commission on Veterans Affairs annual report. 4. Discuss and possible vote on HR 1282 Major Richard Star Act. 5. Discuss and possible vote to address how to disseminate veteran’s information through social media now that the veterans commission is part of the Joint Inclusion Committee. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Jesus Simental at (512) 974-7742 or jesus.simental@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Regular Meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission June 18, 2025 — 4:00 pm Austin Water Headquarters Waller Creek Center 625 East 10th Street, Austin, Texas Some members may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register, call or email the board liaison Vicky Addie at 512-972-0332 or Vicky.Addie@austintexas.gov. To register to speak in person, people must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Amanda Marzullo (District 3) CALL TO ORDER Mike Reyes (District 4) Evan Wolstencroft (District 5) Shwetha Pandurangi (District 6) Alex Ortiz (District 7) Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Chair (District 8) Marcela Tuñón, Vice Chair (District 9) Shannon Trilli (District 10) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the May 21, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for basin descaling and debris removal services for Austin Water with Meylan Enterprises, Inc. for an initial term of two years, with three one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,800,000. Funding: $420,000 is available in Austin Water’s Operating Budget. 3. Recommend approval to authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for City Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) staff access to the Travis County MyGovernmentOnline program (“MGO”) to accept, process, and track BCCP infrastructure Incidental Take Permit applications. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Briefing on Austin Water’s wildland conservation programs. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Vicky Addie at Austin Water, 512-972-0332 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Water and Wastewater …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 21, 2025 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a regular called meeting on May 21, 2025 at Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th Street, Austin, Texas. Commission Members in Attendance: Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines, Amanda Marzullo, William Moriarty (remote), Shwetha Pandurangi, Jesse Penn, Mike Reyes, Shannon Trilli, and Vice Chair Marcela Tuñón Commission Members Absent: None Chair Christopher Maxwell-Gaines called the Water and Wastewater Commission to order at 4:04 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Stuart Hersh spoke about budget funding for affordable home repair. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the April 16, 2025 regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Commissioner Marzullo’s second on an 8-0 vote with three vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2. Recommend approval to authorize an amendment to the 2021 Facilities - Large Facilities Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract for Austin Water with HEI Civil LLC, to increase the amount by $3,750,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $18,750,000. Funding: $3,750,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Marzullo’s motion and Vice Chair Tuñón’s second on an 8-0 vote with three vacancies. 3. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the North Austin CIPP Wastewater Renewal Project for Capital Delivery Services with Insituform Technologies, LLC in the amount of $2,772,892 plus a $277,290 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,050,182. Funding: $3,050,182 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Marzullo’s motion and Vice Chair Tuñón’s second on an 8-0 vote with three vacancies. 4. Recommend approval to authorize a contract for construction services for the East Allandale White Rock Neighborhood Water and Wastewater System Renewal – Rebid Project for Capital Delivery Services with Facilities Rehabilitation, Inc., in the amount of $4,799,250, plus a $479,925 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,279,175. Funding: $5,279,175 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Recommended on Commissioner Pandurangi’s motion and Vice Chair Tuñón’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Penn recusing and three vacancies. Page 1 of 4 5. Recommend approval to authorize an amendment to the contract for engineering services for the McNeil Drive Water Transmission Main Project with Black & Veatch Corporation, in the amount of $5,000,000., for a revised total contract amount …
Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: June 18, 2025 Council: July 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize a contract for basin descaling and debris removal services for Austin Water with Meylan Enterprises, Inc. for an initial term of two years, with three one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,800,000. Funding: $420,000 is available in Austin Water’s Operating Budget. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $420,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2200 MLJ1028 for these services. The solicitation was issued on January 13, 2025, and closed on February 18, 2025. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bid received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142019 . MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 18, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will facilitate the removal of accumulated scale and zebra mussels from the upflow clarifier mechanisms at the Ullrich and Handcox Water Treatment Plants. These plants utilize a lime-softening process to deliver drinking water to the City. Over years of operation, a buildup of scale forms on all submerged surfaces of the clarifiers reducing their efficiency. This contract will replace a contract which expires September 8, 2025. The recommended contractor is the current provider for these services. The requested authorization amounts were determined using departmental estimates based on historical spending. If a contract is not secured, the clarifiers will not operate properly, increasing the risk of equipment failure. Item 2 Water & Wastewater Commission: June 18, 2025 Council: July 24, 2025 Contract Details: Contract Term Initial Term Optional Extension 1 Optional Extension 2 Optional Extension 3 Length of Term 2 years 1 year 1 year 1 year Contract Authorization $1,920,000 $ 960,000 $ 960,000 $ 960,000 Total 5 years $4,800,000 …
Item 3 Water & Wastewater Commission: June 18, 2025 Council: July 24, 2025 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for City Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) staff access to the Travis County MyGovernmentOnline program (“MGO”) to accept, process, and track BCCP infrastructure Incidental Take Permit applications. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. ..De Lead Department Austin Water Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: May 4, 1995 – Council authorized the negotiation and execution of the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Travis County and the City of Austin Implementing the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (“BCCP”) Shared Vision, which guided the creation of the BCCP Habitat Conservation Plan for issuance of the Federal Endangered Species Incidental Take Permit issued to the City of Austin and Travis County in 1996 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September 21, 2023 – Council authorized negotiation and execution of an amended and restated interlocal cooperation agreement with Travis County for the implementation of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Shared Vision to update implementation of the BCCP and to reflect current industry standards. For More Information: Heather Cooke, Austin Water Chief Administrative Officer, 512-972-0083, heather.cooke@austintexas.gov Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 18, 2025 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) provides a fast-track solution to habitat mitigation for Endangered Species Act compliance that supports economic growth and protection of endangered species habitat. It honors multiple community priorities by enabling the construction of roads, utilities, and buildings, while upholding a commitment to natural resources, including the parks, creeks, and preserves that make up our green infrastructure. The BCCP Permit is the name given to the Federal Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit issued to the City of Austin and Travis County in 1996 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service combined with the BCCP Habitat Conservation Plan which is the governing document that established the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). The permitting process for infrastructure projects and the City owned BCP lands are managed by City of Austin staff at Austin Water and the permitting process for development projects are managed by Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources staff. In the 28+ years since the BCCP was created, more than 1,200 private landowners and developers have applied for BCCP …
Wildlands for Water, Wildlife, and People Water and Wastewater Commission June 18, 2025 Environmental Resource Office (ERO) Wildland Conservation Division o Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) o Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) Center for Environmental Research at Hornsby Bend Climate Protection Austin: A biodiversity hotspot Austin’s population has doubled every 20-25 years Austin Austin Metro 87,930 214,603 186,545 301,261 345,890 585,051 656,562 1,249,763 961,855 2,283,371 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 Austin’s Wildlands: A Unique Gift A 30-year, $250M+ commitment to protecting Austin’s unique landscapes A large-scale network of conservation lands that benefit water, wildlife, and people • 49,000 acres and growing Managed under goals of two programs: • Balcones Canyonlands Preserve • Water Quality Protection Lands Intentionally placed with Austin Water to ensure support and stewardship into the future Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Goal: Protect woodland and cave habitat for endangered species & species of concern Provides mitigation for habitat loss from energy, communication and transportation infrastructure Public areas of preserve include some of Austin’s favorite places: o Barton Creek o Mt. Bonnell o Bull Creek Helps to protect quality of our water supply in Lake Travis & Lake Austin watersheds 33,000+ acres (COA + partners) Habitat Conservation Plan sets targets for size/configuration of land in each macrosite Protection of 62 named caves The BCCP facilitates development. 1,500+ landowners/ developers 400+ infrastructure projects 12,000+ acres Water Quality Protection Lands Goal: Protect and restore native grassland savannas and creeks that provide the main source of water flowing from Barton Springs Actively manage land over ¼ of the recharge zone to protect groundwater Prescribed burn program carefully mimics natural fire cycle using highly trained wildland fire professionals Goal of 100,000 acres protected over Barton Springs Zone 12,000+ acres in fee 22,000+ acres in conservation easements Plus regulatory protection Wildland Conservation Ongoing Management Understand • • Intensive monitoring of endangered species and species of concern Vegetation transects • Oak wilt monitoring • • • • Invasive species monitoring/mapping Drought, winter storm impacts Live fuel moisture monitoring In-house and external research Protect • • • • Boundary patrols Fence construction and repair Facility management Invasive species management • Wildfire fuel mitigation • Conservation easement reviews Restore/Enhance • Grassland and forest restoration Prescribed fire Seed collection Nursery operations • • • • Oak wilt trenching • • …
Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 6:30pm City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Economic Prosperity Commission may be participating by videoconference. 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, call or email Ryan Sperling, 512- 974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Christina Ponder Ofelia Zapata Raquel Valdez Sanchez Michael Nahas Rodrigo Cantu Shakeel Rashed Appointment District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 Commissioner Zain Pleuthner VACANT Aaron Gonzales Aditi Joshi VACANT Appointment District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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 Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on May 21, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion soliciting feedback from commissioners regarding potential future presentations to the Economic Prosperity Commission from staff and external organizations. Discussion regarding how and which newsletters, periodicals, and other resources could provide commissioners information to assist in future actions. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Discussion and possible action to form a working group focused on small business to research problems; engage with City staff, appointing Councilmembers, and community groups; and identify solutions and comparable case studies. Discussion and possible action to form a working group focused on long-term economic planning to research problems; engage with City staff, appointing Councilmembers, and community groups; and identify solutions and comparable case studies. Discussion and possible action to form a working group focused on workforce development to research problems; engage with City staff, appointing Councilmembers, and community groups; and identify solutions and comparable case studies. Discussion and possible action to form a working group focused on childcare to research problems; engage with City staff, appointing Councilmembers, and community groups; and identify solutions and comparable case studies. Discussion and possible action to form a working group focused on …
Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 21, 2025 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 21, 2025 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 301 W. 2nd Street, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, in Austin, Texas. Chair Nahas called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Michael Nahas (Chair) Aaron Gonzales Zain Pleuthner Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Rodrigo Cantu Aditi Joshi Shakeel Rashed Raquel Valdez Sanchez PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on February 19, 2025. The minutes of the February 19, 2025 meeting were approved without objection on Chair Nahas’ motion on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Ponder and Zapata were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1 Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 21, 2025 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small businesses. The motion to a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small business was approved on Commissioner Valdez Sanchez’ motion, Commissioner Joshi’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Ponder and Zapata were absent. 4. Approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission. The motion to approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission was approved with an amendment to strike the recommendation to reduce risk by moving from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined contribution on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Pleuthner’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Ponder and Zapata were absent. 5. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to elect Commissioner Gonzales as Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission was approved on Commissioner Valdez Sanchez’ motion, Commissioner Pleuthner’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Rashed was off the dais. Commissioners Ponder and Zapata were absent. The motion to elect Commissioner Valdez Sanchez as Vice Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission was approved on Commissioner Pleuthner’s motion, Commissioner Cantu’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Rashed was off the dais. Commissioners Ponder and Zapata were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update …
Annual General Obligation Bond Sale & CIP Update Belinda Weaver, Treasurer Joey Kellar, Division Chief – Treasury General Obligation Debt • Property Tax Rate has 2 components Tax Rate Operating & Maintenance (O&M) (General Fund) Debt (Debt Service Fund) • Debt Service tax rate set each year at level needed to fund principal and interest payments on debt issued and pledged with property tax • Pays both existing debt service and debt service associated with upcoming General Obligation bond sale General Obligation (GO) Debt • GO Debt = Public Improvement Bonds, Certificates of Obligation, and Contractual Obligations – $1.895 billion in outstanding General Obligation debt – Issued once per year – Backed by property (ad valorem) taxes and “full faith and credit” of the City Types of GO Debt Purpose Voter Approval City Term Public Improvement Bonds (PIBs) Capital Improvement projects and capital assets Yes 20 years Certificates of Obligation (COs) Real property: land, buildings, right of way, construction of a public work No 20 years Contractual Obligations (PPFCOs) Personal property: equipment, machinery, vehicles, information technology No 7 years Steps to Sell or Issue Debt Spring 2024 Develop CIP Plan August 2024 for FY2024-25 Annual Capital Budget Appropriations Reimbursement Resolutions Spring/Summer/Fall 2025 Develop Bond Sale Schedule Preliminary Official Statement Council Action on Bond Sales Bond Sales and Closing • Work on upcoming bond sale began Spring 2024 • Debt to be sold in upcoming bond sale supports projects and appropriations (authority to spend) previously approved by City Council • Use of Reimbursement Resolution allows projects to begin now and get funded later • Consistent with IRS regulations • Consistent with Financial Policies regarding cash management • Results in lower interest costs GO Bond Sale – Series 2025 September Sale: Public Improvement Bonds (PIBs) - $358.10 M • 2012 Bond Program: $1.00M • Transportation - $1.00 M • 2016 Bond Program (Transportation): $80.00 M • 2018 Bond Program: $127.10 M • Affordable Housing - $10.00 M • Parks and Recreation - $20.00 M • Flood Mitigation/Open Space/Water Quality - $55.00M • Library & Cultural – $18.00 M • Public Safety - $15.00 M • Health - $4.10 M • Transportation - $5.00 M • 2020 Bond Program: $75.00 M • 2022 Bond Program: $75.00 M GO Bond Sale – Series 2025 • Entire bond sale supports projects and related appropriations already approved by City Council • After September 2025 bond sale, …
C I T Y O F A U S T I N | J u n e 1 8 , 2 0 2 5 Bond Oversight Commission Watershed Protection Department 2018 Bond, Proposition D C I T Y O F A U S T I N | J u n e 1 7 , 2 0 2 5 June 18, B o n d O v e r s i g h t C o m m i s s i o n | p g . 2 Watershed Protection Department Bond Oversight Commission C I T Y O F A U S T I N | J u n e 1 7 , 2 0 2 5 June 18, B o n d O v e r s i g h t C o m m i s s i o n | p g . 3 2018 BOND, PROPOSITION D Flood Mitigation, Open Space & Water Quality Protection Bond Oversight Commission The issuance of $184,000,000 in tax supported general obligation bonds and notes for flood mitigation, open space and water quality and quantity for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and installing improvements and facilities for flood control, erosion control, water quality, water quantity, and storm-water drainage, and acquiring land, open spaces, and interests in land and property necessary to do so; and the levy of a tax sufficient to pay for the bonds and notes. • Timeline (as defined in Contract with the Voters): 8 years • Ballot language: https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Finance/CFO/2018-Bond/Prop_D_Flood_Mitigation_et_al.pdf • Contract with the Voters: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=304077 C I T Y O F A U S T I N | J u n e 1 7 , 2 0 2 5 June 18, B o n d O v e r s i g h t C o m m i s s i o n | p g . 4 2018 – Prop D Watershed Protection BOND BALANCES Voter-approved $184,000,000 Bond Oversight Commission $184,000,000 $26,700,000 Appropriated Encumbered Spent $149,020,045 Committed $175,675,029 Available Data thru Q3FY 2025 $8,324,971 C I T Y O F A U S T I N | J u n e 1 7 , 2 0 2 5 June 18, B o n d O v e r s i g h t C o m m i s s i o n | p g . 5 $200 $35.00 M $180 $30.00 M $160 $25.00 …
