REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17,2026, 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Economic Prosperity 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, contact Chelsea Pfeifer at chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2498. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Appointment Nicole Tomaszewski Ofelia Zapata District 1 District 2 Commissioner Zain Pleuthner VACANT Appointment District 7 District 8 Raquel Valdez Sanchez District 3 Aaron Gonzales (Chair) District 9 Michael Nahas Kevin Roberts Shakeel Rashed CALL TO ORDER District 4 District 5 District 6 Aditi Joshi District 10 Jake Randall (Vice Chair) Mayor PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten 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 20, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation by Chair Gonzales on recent discussions with the City Manager team regarding the upcoming budget cycle 2026-27. Discussion on the preservation of programs and initiatives for budget cycle 2026-27. 4. 5. Discussion on community groups relevant for prospective Commission focus areas and collaboration opportunities. Discussion on AI’s potential impact on the Austin labor market, including a possible recommendation. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a recommendation regarding Communities In Schools funding. 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 Chelsea Pfeifer at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission please contact Chelsea Pfeifer at 512-974-2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room #1101, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Gonzales called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. Commissioners in Attendance: Aaron Gonzales, Chair Kevin Roberts Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aditi Joshi Zain Pleuthner Shakeel Rashed Raquel Valdez Sanchez Ofelia Zapata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on April 15, 2026. The minutes from the Economic Prosperity Commission regular meeting on April 15, 2026 were approved on Chair Gonzales’ motion, Commissioner Roberts’ second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioners Tomaszewski, Commissioner Nahas and Vice Chair Randall were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding the outcomes from a recent economic mobility study and the impact on quality of life for students served by Communities In Schools. Presentation by Sharon Vigil, 1 Chief Executive Officer, Communities In Schools of Central Texas, Jacob Reach, Chief Operations Officer, Communities In Schools of Central Texas. The presentation was made by Jacob Reach, Chief Operations Officer, Communities In Schools of Central Texas. Presentation on an Economic Snapshot of Central Texas by Chair Gonzales. This item was withdrawn without objection. Discussion of possible recommendation regarding Economic Impact of needed infrastructure. Discussed. Discussion of Impact Assessment Framework and its application to possible AI policy recommendation. This item was withdrawn without objection. 3. 4. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff Briefing from Economic Development Department regarding department changes The meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm on Commissioner Valdez Sanchez motion, Commissioner Joshi’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Zapata was off the dais. Commissioner Tomaszewski, Commissioner Nahas and Vice Chair Randall were absent. 2
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Continuation and Expansion of Funding for Communities In Schools of Central Texas to Safeguard Student Success, Workforce Development and Regional Economic Mobility WHEREAS, the Economic Prosperity Commission is charged with advising governing bodies on policies that foster economic development, poverty reduction, workforce readiness, and long-term financial stability for all residents; and WHEREAS, systemic barriers to academic success—including financial instability, food insecurity, lack of mental health resources, and housing insecurity—directly impact a student’s future employability and earning potential; and WHEREAS, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas serves as a critical economic stabilizer by placing dedicated professionals directly on school campuses to deliver integrated student supports, evidenced based mental health counseling, and crisis intervention; and WHEREAS, independent economic research demonstrates that access to the CIS model significantly boosts a student's lifetime earnings and reduces long-term reliance on public assistance programs, thereby generating a measurable, positive return on public investment; and WHEREAS, CIS of Central Texas consistently achieves proven outcomes, including a 99% school retention rate and a 99.3% graduation rate among case-managed seniors, directly supplying the regional economy with a qualified, high-school-educated workforce; and WHEREAS, current budgetary pressures on local school districts and municipal budgets threaten the continuity of these essential on-campus support systems, putting vulnerable student populations at risk of academic disconnection; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Economic Prosperity Commission formally affirms that funding for Communities In Schools of Central Texas is a vital component of the region’s economic development strategy and workforce pipeline. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Economic Prosperity Commission strongly recommends that the Austin City Council prioritize, maintain, and where possible, expand dedicated funding allocations for CIS of Central Texas in the upcoming fiscal year budget. . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Economic Prosperity Commission urges local municipal leaders to collaborate with regional school districts and philanthropic partners to establish sustainable, multi-year funding mechanisms that protect these campus-based interventions from annual budget volatility. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Economic Prosperity Commission Recommendation Number: 20260617-006: Advancing Economic Mobility Through retaining and strengthening Student, Family, and Workforce Development Supports WHEREAS, the Economic Prosperity Commission is charged with advising governing bodies on policies that foster economic development and long term job creation, poverty reduction, future workforce readiness, and long-term financial stability for all residents; and WHEREAS: According to the 2024 AISD Annual Report, 50.2% of students are economically disadvantaged which translates to an estimated 34,500 Austin-area youth and students as being economically vulnerable. While the broader population of approximately 180,000 Austin residents under age 18 benefit from a stronger student-support and youth workforce-development system. WHEREAS, students and families face barriers to academic success including financial instability, food insecurity, limited access to mental health resources, and housing insecurity; directly negatively impacting the ability for students to fill open jobs and their economic earning potential WHEREAS, school-based and community-based organizations serve as a critical economic stabilizer that help students address these barriers, remain connected to school, graduate, and prepare for employment career pathways, postsecondary education, and support students long- term economic mobility. WHEREAS, independent economic research demonstrates that access to integrated student support models, including campus-based case management, significantly boosts a student's lifetime earnings and reduces long-term reliance on public assistance programs. In addition, these programs are also critical in preventing youth from entering the juvenile justice system, taken together these programs generate a measurable, positive return on public investment. WHEREAS, organizations such as Communities In Schools of Central Texas and other qualified nonprofit, school-based, and community-based partners CIS of Central Texas consistently achieves proven outcomes, affecting 20,000+ students across 50+ schools in the City of Austin, including a 99% school retention rate and a 99.3% graduation rate among case-managed seniors, directly supplying the regional economy with a qualified, high-school-educated workforce; and include eligible educational support providers such as CIS. WHEREAS, Community in Schools and other qualified nonprofit, school-based, and community- based partners CIS of Central Texas increases attendance of students, adding over 22,000 days compared to their baseline grading period; providing increased state funding valued up to $1.1 million to the Austin Independent School District through increased attendance and retention of students. . WHEREAS, school closures have resulted in academic disruptions to students and their families. These disruptions are occurring simultaneously to current budgetary pressures on local school districts and municipal budgets threaten the continuity of these essential …
