REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION FEBRUARY 25, 2026, 6:30PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 1401 & 1402 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR 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 Appointment Nicole Tomaszewski Ofelia Zapata District 1 District 2 Raquel Valdez Sanchez (Vice Chair) District 3 Michael Nahas Rodrigo Cantu Shakeel Rashed District 4 District 5 District 6 Commissioner Zain Pleuthner VACANT Appointment District 7 District 8 Aaron Gonzales (Chair) District 9 Aditi Joshi Jake Randall 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 January 21, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding the city’s FY 2026-27 budget process. 3. Discussion regarding the city’s boards & commissions bylaw amendment process. 4. 5. Discussion regarding priority policy areas for potential Working Groups. Update on outreach efforts regarding Recommendation 20251119-010: Pensions and OPEB Benefits DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a revised version of Recommendation 20251119-010: Pensions and OPEB Benefits based on additional information received from stakeholders. 7. Approve an impact assessment framework and recommendation approval guidelines for the Economic Prosperity Commission. 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 Ryan Sperling at Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512- 974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Gonzales called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Aaron Gonzales, Chair Raquel Valdez Sanchez, Vice-Chair Aditi Joshi Michael Nahas Jacob Randall Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Zain Pleuthner Shakeel Rashed Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on December 17, 2025. The minutes from the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on December 17, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Nahas’ motion, Vice Chair Valdez Sanchez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu and Tomaszewski were absent. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion regarding potential goals and topics for future working groups and recommendations. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding upcoming council initiatives relevant to the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Commissioner Randall and possible approval of an impact assessment framework and recommendation approval guidelines. The presentation was made by Commissioner Randall. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from Commissioner Nahas on outreach for recent commission recommendation Discussion and Possible Action on revisions to commission recommendations ADJOURNMENT Chair Gonzales adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. without objection. 2
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation Number: 20260225-006 : Revised Version of Pensions and OPEB Benefits Recommendation Rationale: The following is an update to the Economic Prosperity Commission’s update regarding Pensions. This document should be the authoritative document regarding the Commission’s stance should it be enacted and voted on by a majority of commission members. This recommendation that was previously made has been updated to reflect community input and feedback since the initial vote as well as new information that was not known regarding this issue at the time it was introduced. Given the large amount of information that is still not known by commission members regarding this issue, given that none of us are licensed financial auditors with retirement planning experience, and the economic impact and significance on everyday city employees’ lives, we have removed many provisions from the previous recommendation. In addition, we have learned that the status of city pensions has changed since the Annual Financial Comprehensive report was issued. Many of the provisions that remain from the initial recommendation cover reporting, given the potential impact on the city’s financial health, we believe that more information will be helpful for all community leaders and elected officials to earlier identify periods of misaligned financial expectations and potential risks. Recommendation: WHEREAS, City Council created the Economic Prosperity Commission to advise the council on matters related to job creation and the City of Austin is one of the largest employers in Austin and retirement benefits make up a large percentage of the compensation of City of Austin employees. WHEREAS, City Council the financial health of the City of Austin’s government is a signal used by employers to decide where to create jobs. WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report says “The deficit in governmental unrestricted net position is largely due to the net pension liability of $2.3 billion and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) liability of $1.9 billion.” WHEREAS, the Legacy Liability of all 3 pensions is expected to increase. The police pension’s increases until 2030, COAERS until 2031, and the firefighter’s until 2032. . WHEREAS, the payments to reduce the Legacity Liability will exceed $190 million in 2028. And those payments will continue until 2051 for the police pension, until 2053 for COAERS, and until 2055 for the firefighters’. WHEREAS, the City of Austin has not formally set aside saved any money to pay for “other …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation Number: 20251119-010: Pensions and OPEB Benefits WHEREAS, City Council created the Economic Prosperity Commission to advise the council on matters related to job creation and the City of Austin is one of the largest employers in Austin and retirement benefits make up a large percentage of the compensation of City of Austin employees. WHEREAS, City Council created the Economic Prosperity Commission to advise the council on matters related to job creation and the financial health of the City of Austin’s government is a signal used by employers to decide where to create jobs. WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report says “The deficit in governmental unrestricted net position is largely due to the net pension liability of $2.3 billion and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) liability of $1.9 billion.”. WHEREAS, the Legacy Liability of all 3 pensions is expected to increase. The police pension’s increases until 2030, COAERS until 2031, and the firefighter’s until 2032. WHEREAS, the payments to reduce the Legacity Liability will exceed $190 million in 2028. And those payments will continue until 2051 for the police pension, until 2053 for COAERS, and until 2055 for the firefighters’. WHEREAS, the City of Austin has not saved any money to pay for “other post-employment benefits” (OPEB), such as medical care. WHEREAS, the City of Austin is not legally required to provide OPEB and employees have no guarantee that OPEB will continue. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Economic Prosperity Commission makes the following recommendations: • • The City should establish a defined-contribution plan to pay for OPEB for all employees hired after the plan was created. This is a legal trust where a fixed percentage of wages should be put into the fund to pay for OPEB benefits during each employees’ retirement. The City should continue to explore the cheapest way to provide medical care to existing retirees. This includes studying Chicago’s plan to use the Affordable Care Act, known as ObamaCare, as a way to get medical coverage for retirees. . • • • • The City Budget’s “Taxpayer Impact Statement” page should include the per-ratepayer change in the City’s “total governmental activities net position” for the previous year. The pensions’ rules should be simulated under random expected conditions (for example, shuffled historical data) and varying assumptions. The output of those simulations should include the range of values …
City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance Executive Summary This document attempts to establish a clear, shared operating framework for the Austin Economic Prosperity Commission to improve consistency, effectiveness, and accountability in its policy work. The document attempts to define how the Commission measures success, how policy ideas should be developed from concept to Council-ready recommendation, and how potential initiatives are evaluated for impact, feasibility, and readiness. By articulating a North Star Metric and a standardized policy development process, the document is intended to support both new and tenured Commissioners in producing high- quality, actionable recommendations that are well-aligned with City priorities and capable of achieving necessary external buy-in. City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 Table of Contents I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. Context & Purpose of Document Scope of Recommendations North Star Metric Definition Impact Assessment Framework Phased Policy Development Workflow Policy Recommendation Template Example Policy Recommendation Communications and Representation Guidelines City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 I. Context & Purpose of Document Situational Context: The Economic Prosperity Commission has benefited from the addition of new Commissioners that bring fresh perspectives and expertise. However, newer Commissioners have at times expressed difficulty orienting to the Commission’s core goals, the metrics that define Commission success, and the practical mechanics of forming an initial idea into a well-formed, Council-ready policy recommendation. Historically, the Commission has been unclear on how policy potential is assessed, how Commission success is measured, and how both internal and external policy alignment are achieved. Document Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide a shared operating context for Commissioners. The document attempts to establish a clear North Star Metric for defining Commission output and success, and it lays out a standardized process for policy development, including a structured rubric for assessing the potential impact, feasibility, and readiness of policy initiatives. The intent is to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness across Commission work, while supporting Commissioners in their efforts to produce high-quality, actionable recommendations for City Council and adhering to Commission bylaws. City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 II. Scope of Recommendations The Economic Prosperity Commission may advance …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026, 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 Appointment Nicole Tomaszewski Ofelia Zapata Raquel Valdez Sanchez (Vice Chair) Michael Nahas Rodrigo Cantu Shakeel Rashed District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 Commissioner Zain Pleuthner Appointment District 7 VACANT District 8 Aaron Gonzales (Chair) District 9 Aditi Joshi Jake Randall 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 December 17, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion regarding potential goals and topics for future working groups and recommendations. Discussion regarding upcoming council initiatives relevant to the Economic Prosperity Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Commissioner Randall and possible approval of an impact assessment framework and recommendation approval guidelines. 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 Ryan Sperling at Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512- 974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
ECOMNOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Gonzales called the Economic Prosperity Commission meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Aaron Gonzales, Chair Aditi Joshi Michael Nahas Zain Pleuthner Jacob Randall Shakeel Rashed Nicole Tomaszewski Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Raquel Valdez Sanchez, Vice-Chair Rodrigo Cantu PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on November 19, 2025. The minutes of the November 19, 2025 regular meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission was approved on Commissioner Rashed’s motion, Commissioner Randall’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was absent. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Discussion to deliberate the commission’s priorities over the next six months and timeline goals for recommendations. Discussed. Proposal to create a working group at the next meeting was accepted without objection on Chair Gonzales’ motion, Commissioner Joshi’s second. Presentation by Chair Gonzales training members on policy development and local government toolkits. Discussed. Presentation by Commissioner Randall regarding a tool he created to review policies published by Austin’s peer cities. Discussed. Discussion regarding best practices for speaking to media and external bodies about common business, including the potential to develop special rules of procedure on this topic. Discussed. Proposal to add this item to the working group proposed in item 2. Discussion regarding topics discussed at a recent meeting between the Chair, Vice Chair, and Mayor’s office staff. Discussed. Discussion regarding how commissioners can promote and track the dates and times of events hosted by the City and Council Members. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve the nomination of an Economic Prosperity Commission alternate representative to the Joint Sustainability Committee. The motion to approve Commissioner Zain Pleuthner as the Economic Prosperity Commission’s alternate Joint Sustainability Committee representative was approved on Chair Gonzales’ motion, Commissioner Nahas second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was absent. 2 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Creation of a working group that discusses and presents best practices for policy development, commission principles, speaking to media, and commission efficacy. (Gonzales, Joshi) Creation of an event calendar with events hosted by the city and council members. (Gonzales, Nahas) Creation of a public statement from the commission highlighting individual commissioners’ thoughts on the previously passed recommendation …
City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance Executive Summary This document attempts to establish a clear, shared operating framework for the Austin Economic Prosperity Commission to improve consistency, effectiveness, and accountability in its policy work. The document attempts to define how the Commission measures success, how policy ideas should be developed from concept to Council-ready recommendation, and how potential initiatives are evaluated for impact, feasibility, and readiness. By articulating a North Star Metric and a standardized policy development process, the document is intended to support both new and tenured Commissioners in producing high- quality, actionable recommendations that are well-aligned with City priorities and capable of achieving necessary external buy-in. City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 Table of Contents I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Context & Purpose of Document North Star Metric Definition Impact Assessment Framework Phased Policy Development Workflow Policy Recommendation Template Example Policy Recommendation Communications and Representation Guidelines City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 I. Context & Purpose of Document Situational Context: The Economic Prosperity Commission has benefited from the addition of new Commissioners that bring fresh perspectives and expertise. However, newer Commissioners have at times expressed difficulty orienting to the Commission’s core goals, the metrics that define Commission success, and the practical mechanics of forming an initial idea into a well-formed, Council-ready policy recommendation. Historically, the Commission has been unclear on how policy potential is assessed, how Commission success is measured, and how both internal and external policy alignment are achieved. Document Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide a shared operating context for Commissioners. The document attempts to establish a clear North Star Metric for defining Commission output and success, and it lays out a standardized process for policy development, including a structured rubric for assessing the potential impact, feasibility, and readiness of policy initiatives. The intent is to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness across Commission work, while supporting Commissioners in their efforts to produce high-quality, actionable recommendations for City Council and adhering to Commission bylaws. City of Austin | Economic Prosperity Commission Impact Framework and Procedural Guidance January 21st, 2026 II. North Star Metric Definition Qualified Policy Proposals: The count of unique policy recommendation …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Gonzales called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Aaron Gonzales, Chair Raquel Valdez Sanchez, Vice-Chair Aditi Joshi Michael Nahas Jacob Randall Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Zain Pleuthner Shakeel Rashed Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on December 17, 2025. The minutes from the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on December 17, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Nahas’ motion, Vice Chair Valdez Sanchez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Cantu and Tomaszewski were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion regarding potential goals and topics for future working groups and recommendations. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding upcoming council initiatives relevant to the Economic Prosperity Commission. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Commissioner Randall and possible approval of an impact assessment framework and recommendation approval guidelines. The presentation was made by Commissioner Randall. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from Commissioner Nahas on outreach for recent commission recommendation Discussion and Possible Action on revisions to commission recommendations ADJOURNMENT Chair Gonzales adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the February 25, 2026 regular meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission on Commissioner Joshi’s motion, Commissioner Nahas’ second on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Valdez Sanchez and Commissioners Cantu, Rashed, and Pleuthner were absen t. 2
