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 …
Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, May 21, 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 (Chair) 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 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Appointment District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor 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 February 19, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small businesses. 4. Approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission. 5. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Childcare working group regarding a survey of recent license recipients. 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 contact Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 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 6:31 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Michael Nahas (Chair) Amy Rister Raquel Valdez-Sanchez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aaron Gonzales Kelsey Hitchingham Amy Noel Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on October 19, 2022. The minutes were approved with an amendment to remove “Chair” from before “Kelsey” and insert “Chair” before “Nathan Ryan” on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Hitchingham’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 1 was taken up after Item 2 without objection. 2. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on January 29, 2025. 1 Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The minutes were approved without objection on Chair Nahas’ motion on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Conduct an emergency election for a Vice Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Commissioner Rister was nominated for the role of Vice Chair by Chair Nahas, second by Commissioner Zapata. Commissioner Rister was elected as Vice Chair on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Zapata’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 4 was taken up after Item 5 without objection. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Chapter 380 programs. The below recommendation was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. WHERE AS: Austin City Council recently approved changes to the Chapter 380 Program under Ordinance No. 20240926-013. WHERE AS: The revised Chapter 380 program guidelines indicate that specific goals for program and project metrics will be defined during the rule promulgation and development phase within the first year of implementation. Effectively, pausing the program for one year. WHERE AS: Publishing a temporary scoring …
Commission Recommendation Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation 20250521-003: Language Access Programs for Entrepreneurs WHEREAS the City of Austin has demonstrated a commitment to fostering economic and community potential by supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, including women and minority business owners, through initiatives that reduce economic exclusion and bolster job creation; WHEREAS individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), defined by the federal government as those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, comprise 10% of Austin's population; WHEREAS 24% of all new Austin businesses are founded by immigrants, who are 24.1% more likely to start a business than U.S.-born residents; WHEREAS 15% of Austin businesses are owned by immigrants, reflecting the city's cultural and economic diversity. Despite their entrepreneurial drive, LEP business owners face significant barriers in navigating regulatory processes, securing funding, and accessing critical business resources; WHEREAS Council Resolution 20131017-038 (2013) directed the City Manager to establish a universal translation and interpretation service protocol, culminating in the 2022 Language Access Policy. However, this policy primarily serves individuals rather than addressing the distinct needs of LEP business owners; WHEREAS Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, underscoring the importance of equitable access to city resources for all entrepreneurs; WHEREAS immigrant entrepreneurs, who constitute 18% of Austin’s population, are twice as likely to be self-employed but face higher business failure rates due to language barriers, limited professional networks, and lack of access to capital and regulatory information; WHEREAS investing in Limited English Proficiency entrepreneurs strengthens Austin’s economy, increases resilience during economic downturns, expands the tax base, and creates jobs; WHEREAS the Economic Development Department’s Community Navigator Program, which provided critical business support services, ended in December 2024, leaving a gap in resources for immigrant business owners; WHEREAS popular programs for English-speaking entrepreneurs, such as the BizAid Business Orientation, have not been offered in Spanish in the past 12 months due to a lack of awareness among existing and new limited english proficiency businesses. BizAid Business is an introductory class designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complex landscape of city, state, and federal regulations, as well as gain insights into the City of Austin's development process for commercial properties; WHEREAS immigrant-owned businesses in Texas employ over 635,000 workers and …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250521-004 Date: April 16, 2025 Subject: City’s FY 2025 – 2026 Budget Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Reduce risk by moving from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined contribution. Description of Recommendation to Council Remove risk by changing our retirement programs from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined-contribution programs. Remove risk by paying a third party to accept Austin’s existing pension and post-employment healthcare liabilities. Payment could be either a series of future annual payments or an immediate payment, using funds raised by General Obligations bonds. Rationale: The City of Austin currently promises pensions and post-retirement healthcare to its employees. That is, we specify benefits after they retire for as long as they live. This sounds nice, but the hard truth is that we do not know the financial future. We do not know the price today of those promises. Those promises have already created a gigantic problem. The 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City of Austin says our unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities for the pension are $2,294,789,000. For post-employment benefits (which is mostly healthcare) it is $1,851.879,000. And that’s just the government side. The enterprises have an additional $2,610,485,000 in pension and post-employment liabilities. If we spent all of our property tax paying off the government liability, it would take 4 years. This gigantic problem may grow larger. Consider the data on page 56 of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for COAERS, the City of Austin Employee’s Retirement System. The current outstanding liabilities are calculated assuming a 6.75% return by their investments. If the return is just 1% less, the liabilities increase by 30%. 1 of 3 This problem hurts us right now. Page 34 of the 2024-25 budget says we paid $151,781,000 to pay down just 1/30th of the liability. Austin’s government charged a family of four more than $50 per month not to provide services, but just to pay down a tiny fraction of our $4 billion debt. Pensions and healthcare promises are dangerous. They crippled America’s car industry. They almost ended America’s steel industry. Multiple cities have declared bankruptcy due to the burdens of pension and healthcare. Detroit, Michigan, which was the fastest growing city in America in its heyday, went bankrupt due to pensions. Pension programs and healthcare promises can harm more than the City of Austin; they might harm our employees in the future who would be …
Commission Recommendation Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation 20250521-003: Language Access Programs for Entrepreneurs WHEREAS the City of Austin has demonstrated a commitment to fostering economic and community potential by supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, including women and minority business owners, through initiatives that reduce economic exclusion and bolster job creation; WHEREAS individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), defined by the federal government as those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, comprise 10% of Austin's population; WHEREAS 24% of all new Austin businesses are founded by immigrants, who are 24.1% more likely to start a business than U.S.-born residents; WHEREAS 15% of Austin businesses are owned by immigrants, reflecting the city's cultural and economic diversity. Despite their entrepreneurial drive, LEP business owners face significant barriers in navigating regulatory processes, securing funding, and accessing critical business resources; WHEREAS Council Resolution 20131017-038 (2013) directed the City Manager to establish a universal translation and interpretation service protocol, culminating in the 2022 Language Access Policy. However, this policy primarily serves individuals rather than addressing the distinct needs of LEP business owners; WHEREAS Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, underscoring the importance of equitable access to city resources for all entrepreneurs; WHEREAS immigrant entrepreneurs, who constitute 18% of Austin’s population, are twice as likely to be self-employed but face higher business failure rates due to language barriers, limited professional networks, and lack of access to capital and regulatory information; WHEREAS investing in Limited English Proficiency entrepreneurs strengthens Austin’s economy, increases resilience during economic downturns, expands the tax base, and creates jobs; WHEREAS the Economic Development Department’s Community Navigator Program, which provided critical business support services, ended in December 2024, leaving a gap in resources for immigrant business owners; WHEREAS popular programs for English-speaking entrepreneurs, such as the BizAid Business Orientation, have not been offered in Spanish in the past 12 months due to a lack of awareness among existing and new limited english proficiency businesses. BizAid Business is an introductory class designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complex landscape of city, state, and federal regulations, as well as gain insights into the City of Austin's development process for commercial properties; WHEREAS immigrant-owned businesses in Texas employ over 635,000 workers and …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250521-004 Date: May 21, 2025 Subject: City’s FY 2025 – 2026 Budget Motioned By: Chair Nahas Seconded By: Commissioner Pleuthner Recommendation The Budget of the City of Austin should respect renters as the equal of homeowners. Description of Recommendation to Council Require that the City of Austin 2025-26 Budget respect renters as "Typical" residents of Austin. Require that the City of Austin 2025-26 Budget's "Taxpayer Impact Statement" add a line for the average tax per rental unit, which includes the property tax and all other taxes and annual fees on rental properties. Require that the City of Austin 2025-26 Budget's "Taxpayer Impact Statement" rename the line "TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT" to "TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT (homeowner)" and add a line for "TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT (renter)", which includes the average taxes and fees paid per rental unit. Require that the City of Austin 2025-26 Budget's "Taxpayer Impact Statement" include a calculation of "TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT (renter)" for the previous budget, Fiscal Year 2023- 24, and compute a percentage increase from Fiscal Year 2023-24 to Fiscal Year 2025-26. Require that the City of Austin 2025-26 Budget's "Taxpayer Impact Statement" use the bottom half of the page to hold a table of "TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT" for Austin residents at all income levels. Rows should be by household income for every 10th percentile, from bottom 10% to top 10%. City Staff should estimate what proportion of each income bracket are homeowners and renters and assign an average (mathematical mean) property tax weighted by that proportion, based on properties that income bracket would rent or own. City Staff may have more detailed knowledge. They should investigate if residents in the bottom 10th percentile of income uses the average (mathematical mean) of the bottom 10th percentile of residential Austin Energy usage, residential Austin Water usage, etc.. Rationale: The City of Austin 2024-25 Budget's “Taxpayer Impact Statement” refers to a ““Typical” Resident Ratepayer” who pays property tax with a homestead exemption and, therefore, must be a homeowner. The 2024-25 budget claims that this “Typical” Austin resident owns a house worth $524,082. 1 of 2 In fact, the City of Austin actually has a majority of renters. The U.S. Census Bureau for the time period 2017-2021 reports that only 44.7% of the housing units in Austin are owner-occupied. A household owning a property worth $524,082 is likely in the top 25th percentile of income for the …
Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, April 16, 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- 874-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Christina Ponder Ofelia Zapata Raquel Valdez Sanchez Michael Nahas (Chair) 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 Laura Dixon AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Appointment District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor 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 February 19, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small businesses. 4. Approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission. 5. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Childcare working group regarding a survey of recent license recipients. 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 contact Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 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 6:31 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Michael Nahas (Chair) Amy Rister Raquel Valdez-Sanchez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aaron Gonzales Kelsey Hitchingham Amy Noel Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on October 19, 2022. The minutes were approved with an amendment to remove “Chair” from before “Kelsey” and insert “Chair” before “Nathan Ryan” on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Hitchingham’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 1 was taken up after Item 2 without objection. 2. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on January 29, 2025. 1 Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The minutes were approved without objection on Chair Nahas’ motion on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Conduct an emergency election for a Vice Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Commissioner Rister was nominated for the role of Vice Chair by Chair Nahas, second by Commissioner Zapata. Commissioner Rister was elected as Vice Chair on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Zapata’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 4 was taken up after Item 5 without objection. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Chapter 380 programs. The below recommendation was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. WHERE AS: Austin City Council recently approved changes to the Chapter 380 Program under Ordinance No. 20240926-013. WHERE AS: The revised Chapter 380 program guidelines indicate that specific goals for program and project metrics will be defined during the rule promulgation and development phase within the first year of implementation. Effectively, pausing the program for one year. WHERE AS: Publishing a temporary scoring …
Commission Recommendation Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation 202504160-003: Language Access Programs for Entrepreneurs WHEREAS the City of Austin has demonstrated a commitment to fostering economic and community potential by supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, including women and minority business owners, through initiatives that reduce economic exclusion and bolster job creation; WHEREAS individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), defined by the federal government as those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, comprise 10% of Austin's population; WHEREAS 24% of all new Austin businesses are founded by immigrants, who are 24.1% more likely to start a business than U.S.-born residents; WHEREAS 15% of Austin businesses are owned by immigrants, reflecting the city's cultural and economic diversity. Despite their entrepreneurial drive, LEP business owners face significant barriers in navigating regulatory processes, securing funding, and accessing critical business resources; WHEREAS Council Resolution 20131017-038 (2013) directed the City Manager to establish a universal translation and interpretation service protocol, culminating in the 2022 Language Access Policy. However, this policy primarily serves individuals rather than addressing the distinct needs of LEP business owners; WHEREAS Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, underscoring the importance of equitable access to city resources for all entrepreneurs; WHEREAS immigrant entrepreneurs, who constitute 18% of Austin’s population, are twice as likely to be self-employed but face higher business failure rates due to language barriers, limited professional networks, and lack of access to capital and regulatory information; WHEREAS investing in Limited English Proficiency entrepreneurs strengthens Austin’s economy, increases resilience during economic downturns, expands the tax base, and creates jobs; WHEREAS the Economic Development Department’s Community Navigator Program, which provided critical business support services, ended in December 2024, leaving a gap in resources for immigrant business owners; WHEREAS popular programs for English-speaking entrepreneurs, such as the BizAid Business Orientation, have not been offered in Spanish in the past 12 months due to a lack of awareness among existing and new limited english proficiency businesses. BizAid Business is an introductory class designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complex landscape of city, state, and federal regulations, as well as gain insights into the City of Austin's development process for commercial properties; WHEREAS immigrant-owned businesses in Texas employ over 635,000 workers and …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250416-004 Date: April 16, 2025 Subject: City’s FY 2025 – 2026 Budget Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Reduce risk by moving from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined contribution. Description of Recommendation to Council Remove risk by changing our retirement programs from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined-contribution programs. Remove risk by paying a third party to accept Austin’s existing pension and post-employment healthcare liabilities. Payment could be either a series of future annual payments or an immediate payment, using funds raised by General Obligations bonds. Rationale: The City of Austin currently promises pensions and post-retirement healthcare to its employees. That is, we specify benefits after they retire for as long as they live. This sounds nice, but the hard truth is that we do not know the financial future. We do not know the price today of those promises. Those promises have already created a gigantic problem. The 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City of Austin says our unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities for the pension are $2,294,789,000. For post-employment benefits (which is mostly healthcare) it is $1,851.879,000. And that’s just the government side. The enterprises have an additional $2,610,485,000 in pension and post-employment liabilities. If we spent all of our property tax paying off the government liability, it would take 4 years. This gigantic problem may grow larger. Consider the data on page 56 of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for COAERS, the City of Austin Employee’s Retirement System. The current outstanding liabilities are calculated assuming a 6.75% return by their investments. If the return is just 1% less, the liabilities increase by 30%. 1 of 3 This problem hurts us right now. Page 34 of the 2024-25 budget says we paid $151,781,000 to pay down just 1/30th of the liability. Austin’s government charged a family of four more than $50 per month not to provide services, but just to pay down a tiny fraction of our $4 billion debt. Pensions and healthcare promises are dangerous. They crippled America’s car industry. They almost ended America’s steel industry. Multiple cities have declared bankruptcy due to the burdens of pension and healthcare. Detroit, Michigan, which was the fastest growing city in America in its heyday, went bankrupt due to pensions. Pension programs and healthcare promises can harm more than the City of Austin; they might harm our employees in the future who would be …
Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 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 6:31 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Michael Nahas (Chair) Amy Rister Raquel Valdez-Sanchez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aaron Gonzales Kelsey Hitchingham Amy Noel Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on October 19, 2022. The minutes were approved with an amendment to remove “Chair” from before “Kelsey” and insert “Chair” before “Nathan Ryan” on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Hitchingham’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 1 was taken up after Item 2 without objection. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on January 29, 2025. 1 1. 2. Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2025 The minutes were approved without objection on Chair Nahas’ motion on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Conduct an emergency election for a Vice Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Commissioner Rister was nominated for the role of Vice Chair by Chair Nahas, second by Commissioner Zapata. Commissioner Rister was elected as Vice Chair on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Zapata’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Item 4 was taken up after Item 5 without objection. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Chapter 380 programs. The below recommendation was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. WHERE AS: Austin City Council recently approved changes to the Chapter 380 Program under Ordinance No. 20240926-013. WHERE AS: The revised Chapter 380 program guidelines indicate that specific goals for program and project metrics will be defined during the rule promulgation and development phase within the first year of implementation. Effectively, pausing the program for one year. WHERE AS: Publishing a temporary scoring matrix would allow …
Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, March 19, 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- 874-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Michael Nahas, Chair Rodrigo Cantu Aaron Gonzales Amy Noel Amy Rister Ofelia Zapata Luis Osta Lugo, Vice Chair Laura Dixon Kelsey Hitchingham Christina Ponder Raquel Valdez Sanchez 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 February 19, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation from the Small Business Working Group regarding language access for small businesses. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small businesses. Approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Childcare working group regarding a survey of recent license recipients. 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 contact Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. 2. 3. 4. 5.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250319-005 Date: March 19, 2025 Subject: City’s FY 2025 – 2026 Budget Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Reduce risk by moving from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined contribution. Description of Recommendation to Council Remove risk by changing our retirement programs from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined-contribution programs. Remove risk by paying a third party to accept Austin’s existing pension and post-employment healthcare liabilities. Payment could be either a series of future annual payments or an immediate payment, using funds raised by General Obligations bonds. Rationale: The City of Austin currently promises pensions and post-retirement healthcare to its employees. That is, we specify benefits after they retire for as long as they live. This sounds nice, but the hard truth is that we do not know the financial future. We do not know the price today of those promises. Those promises have already created a gigantic problem. The 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City of Austin says our unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities for the pension are $2,294,789,000. For post-employment benefits (which is mostly healthcare) it is $1,851.879,000. And that’s just the government side. The enterprises have an additional $2,610,485,000 in pension and post-employment liabilities. If we spent all of our property tax paying off the government liability, it would take 4 years. This gigantic problem may grow larger. Consider the data on page 56 of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for COAERS, the City of Austin Employee’s Retirement System. The current outstanding liabilities are calculated assuming a 6.75% return by their investments. If the return is just 1% less, the liabilities increase by 30%. 1 of 3 This problem hurts us right now. Page 34 of the 2024-25 budget says we paid $151,781,000 to pay down just 1/30th of the liability. Austin’s government charged a family of four more than $50 per month not to provide services, but just to pay down a tiny fraction of our $4 billion debt. Pensions and healthcare promises are dangerous. They crippled America’s car industry. They almost ended America’s steel industry. Multiple cities have declared bankruptcy due to the burdens of pension and healthcare. Detroit, Michigan, which was the fastest growing city in America in its heyday, went bankrupt due to pensions. Pension programs and healthcare promises can harm more than the City of Austin; they might harm our employees in the future who would be …
Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, February 19, 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- 874-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Michael Nahas, Chair Rodrigo Cantu Aaron Gonzales Amy Noel Amy Rister Ofelia Zapata Luis Osta Lugo, Vice Chair Laura Dixon Kelsey Hitchingham Christina Ponder Raquel Valdez Sanchez 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 October 19, 2022. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on January 29, 2025. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Conduct an emergency election for a Vice Chair of the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Chapter 380 programs. Discussion and possible action on dissolving the Redevelopment Working Group. Nominate commissioners to serve as the Economic Prosperity Commission’s primary and alternate representatives to the Joint Sustainability Committee. WORKING GROUP UPDATES Update from the GBE Working Group regarding a potential recommendation about Chapter 380 programs. Update from the Small Business Working Group regarding scheduling its next working group meeting, discussion of its product and delivery date, and discussions on attempt to reach out to the Economic Development Department for expertise. 10. Update from the Childcare Working Group regarding scheduling its next working group meeting, discussion of its product, and delivery date. 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 …
