SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025, 4:00 PM. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Joint Inclusion Committee 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, contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974- 3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Justin Parsons Alexandria Anderson Nirali J Thakkar Nayer Sikder Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Commission on Aging Diana Melendez Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Commission on Immigrant Affairs Melissa Ortega Commission on Veterans Affairs Bryce F Laake-Stanfield Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Alice Navarro Amanda Afifi (Chair) Jeffrey Clemmons Jerry Joe Benson Lisa Chang AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Becky Bullard Teresa Ferguson Miriam Dorantes Vacant Andrea McIllwain Daniela Silva Muneeb "Meebs" Aslam Katie Coyne Conor H. Kelly 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Recap and discussion of the presentation made by Austin Public Health (APH) to the Equity Action Team (EAT) meeting on June 25, 2025 on the structure, funding mechanisms, and equity implications of APH. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation to City Council regarding protecting and sustaining local public health infrastructure and equity at APH in Austin and discuss public and council engagement strategy. 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 the City Clerk, at 512-974-3568 or contact Ryan Sperling at ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay …
Resolution Proposal: Protecting and Sustaining Local Public Health Infrastructure and Equity in Austin Submitted to: City of Austin City Council Date: XX-XX-XXXX Submitted by: Joint Inclusion Committee WHEREAS, public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts,” and serves as the foundation for community resilience and equitable well-being; and WHEREAS, Austin Public Health (APH) provides vital population-level services that protect over 1.35 million residents, including immunization clinics, HIV and STD testing and treatment, refugee health screenings, violence prevention programming, substance misuse support, and neighborhood centers offering basic needs assistance; and WHEREAS, core public health infrastructure funding in the amount of $9,500,000 is currently at risk due to unstable federal funding streams and national-level proposals to reduce or eliminate key public health support; and WHEREAS, the federal political climate—marked by increasing hostility toward racial equity efforts and public health institutions—has created uncertainty for municipalities dependent on federal dollars, putting local public health outcomes in jeopardy; and WHEREAS, local data show clear racial disparities in public health outcomes in Austin, including: • Black and Hispanic children are 5 to 7 times more likely to live in poverty than their White counterparts, increasing vulnerability to chronic illness, food insecurity, and poor educational outcomes; • East Austin residents face significantly higher rates of environmental hazards and urban heat exposure, contributing to cardiovascular and respiratory disease; • Communities of color experience higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, which are exacerbated by inequities in access to care and healthy environments; and WHEREAS, prevention-focused public health investments yield high returns, with studies showing that for every $1 invested in public health, $14 are saved in downstream health care costs and productivity losses; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s stated values—Equity, Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, and Engagement—demand proactive investment in services that reduce health disparities and strengthen community resilience; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1 The Joint Inclusion Committee strongly recommends the City of Austin fully protect the $9,500,000 currently allocated to Core Public Health Infrastructure. 2 The Committee urges the City to establish a dedicated $6 million public health reserve fund to ensure continuity of essential services in the event of further federal disinvestment or emergency needs. 3 The City should commit to prioritizing funding for public health programs that directly address racial and socioeconomic health disparities, with transparent …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20250711-002: A recommendation to City Council regarding protecting and sustaining local public health infrastructure and equity at APH in Austin. WHEREAS, public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts,” and serves as the foundation for community resilience and equitable well-being; and WHEREAS, Austin Public Health (APH) provides vital population-level services that protect over 1.35 million residents, including immunization clinics, HIV and STD testing and treatment, refugee health screenings, violence prevention programming, substance misuse support, and neighborhood centers offering basic needs assistance; and WHEREAS, core public health infrastructure funding in the amount of $9,500,000 is currently at risk due to unstable federal funding streams and national-level proposals to reduce or eliminate key public health support; and WHEREAS, the federal political climate—marked by increasing hostility toward racial equity efforts and public health institutions—has created uncertainty for municipalities dependent on federal dollars, putting local public health outcomes in jeopardy; and WHEREAS, local data show clear racial disparities in public health outcomes in Austin, including Black and Hispanic children are 5 to 7 times more likely to live in poverty than their White counterparts, increasing vulnerability to chronic illness, food insecurity, and poor educational outcomes; East Austin residents face significantly higher rates of environmental hazards and urban; communities of color experience higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, which are exacerbated by inequities in access to care and healthy environments; and WHEREAS, prevention-focused public health investments yield high returns, with studies showing that for every $1 invested in public health, $14 are saved in downstream health care costs and productivity losses; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s stated values—Equity, Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, and Engagement— demand proactive investment in services that reduce health disparities and strengthen community resilience; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee strongly recommends the City of Austin fully protect the $9,500,000 currently allocated to Core Public Health Infrastructure. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee urges the City to establish a dedicated $6 million public health reserve fund to ensure continuity of essential services in the event of further federal disinvestment or emergency needs and City should commit to prioritizing funding for public health programs that directly address racial and socioeconomic health disparities, with transparent reporting and equitable community engagement built …
