Recommendation 20250326-013 - JSC Cross-Sector Budget Recommendations — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation Number 20250326-013: Cross-Sector Budget Recommendations 1. Execution of the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program: The Office of Climate Action and Resilience needs additional staff to execute the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program, directed by Council Resolution 20240718-093. Staff are needed to track progress, identify gaps, coordinate and assist other departments with projects, and lead on some projects that fall to the Office of Climate Action and Resilience (OCAR). Some current OCAR staff are temporary and this work will be ongoing. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends $90,000 per year for a Climate Implementation Program Project Coordinator in the Office of Climate Action and Resilience. 2. Outreach and Engagement for Sustainability Incentives: The City of Austin has numerous sustainability incentive programs aligned with the goals of the Climate Equity Plan. However, many of these programs are underutilized, especially among low-income households. A part of the challenge is awareness. The city should host a user-friendly website that consolidates information on all sustainability incentives offered by the City of Austin (i.e., home weatherization and repair, water conservation, rainwater collection, water conserving landscaping, waste reduction, transportation electrification, public transit and green infrastructure programs), as well as state and federal incentives that align with the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and other city sustainability plans. Additional community outreach by the city and trusted organizations can increase the effectiveness of these programs. A Community Engagement Program Manager is needed in the Office of Climate Action and Resilience to coordinate community outreach and partnership activities associated with promoting sustainability incentives, with a focus on building relationships with low-income communities, communities of color, and related organizations and service providers. This employee would manage grants, contracts and stipends for community leaders and community-based organizations to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs in targeted Austin communities, in partnership with the Office of Climate Action and Resilience. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $270,000 per year be allocated to the Office of Climate Action and Resilience for the following: ○ $110,000 per year for a Community Engagement Program Manager ○ $60,000 per year for 20 climate ambassadors to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs, under the direction of the Office of Sustainability. ○ $100,000 per year for grants for community-based organizations to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability. 3. Austin Civilian Conservation Corps: Equitable access to green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities is an overarching strategy of the Climate Equity Plan. Green workforce programs like the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps build more equitable pathways to employment and strengthen support networks for those most impacted by climate change. Training programs also support local businesses and increase local economic benefits, including job creation and sales tax revenue. Funding should be allocated to support the continuation and expansion of the green workforce training through the Austin Civilian Conservation Corp (ACCC) program, including the following tracks: Natural Systems (protecting critical ecosystems on preserves and parkland); Environmental Education; Waste Reduction (repairing products and producing products that can be reused, repaired and/or composted); Clean Energy (solar, energy efficiency, demand response, batteries). The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $4 million per year be allocated to the Austin Civilian Conservation Corp for FY 26 to allow for full payment of existing contracts with external partners, resumption of paused tracks and expansion to new tracks. For: Anna Scott, Haris Qureshi, Kaiba White, Charlotte Davis, Heather Houser, Christopher Campbell, Marissa Bell, Lane Becker, Rodrigo Leal, Melissa Rothrock, Yure Suarez Absent: Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Amy Noel, Chris Crookham, Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler Vote: 11-0 Motion: Kaiba White Second: Marissa Bell Against: Abstain: Off Dais: Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison