Item 2: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

Backup

RECOMMENDATION REGARDING FY2026–27 LGBTQ+ BUDGET PRIORITIES Recommendation No. 2026________ WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission has previously adopted recommendations addressing housing stability, public health, community safety, legal assistance, and LGBTQ+ cultural infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the Commission’s Budget Working Group reviewed the City Manager’s proposed FY2026-27 budget, departmental responses, and the status of previously submitted Commission recommendations; and WHEREAS, investments in housing stabilization, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and early access to services can prevent harm, save lives, and reduce more costly interventions later; and WHEREAS, several Commission priorities remain unfunded, partially funded, or without a clearly responsible department, implementation timeline, or path toward completion; and WHEREAS, the Commission has identified six priorities for immediate Council consideration during the FY2026-27 budget process; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The Commission recommends that the Austin City Council: 1. Housing Stabilization and Homelessness Assistance: Maintain and increase funding for housing stabilization, rental assistance, homelessness prevention, and emergency housing programs, while ensuring that LGBTQ+ residents-particularly transgender and gender-diverse residents-can access services safely and equitably. 2. Legal Navigation and Community Safety Coordination: Fund a dedicated Equity Office resource to help LGBTQIA2S+ residents navigate legal concerns, safety incidents, referrals, and available City and community services. 3. APD LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Program: Dedicate approximately $40,000 from the proposed APD budget to support the LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Program through specialized training, outreach, community engagement, performance measures, backup coverage, and long-term continuity, with the goal of establishing a sustainable full-time role. 4. MPox, HIV/STI, and Vaccination Programs: Fully fund Austin Public Health’s recommended service levels for MPox vaccination and HIV/STI prevention, testing, treatment navigation, outreach, and community-provider partnerships, and ensure these essential services are not reduced. 5. Safe and Proud Entertainment Corridor: Fund Stop the Bleed training, CPR and AED access, venue coordination, and emergency preparedness along Bettie Naylor and West Fourth Street, excluding the previously proposed alarm component, and assign clear departmental responsibility for implementation. 6. LGBTQ Entertainment District and Micro-PID: Direct the Economic Development Department and Transportation and Public Works to identify a lead department, implementation timeline, first-year funding options, and next steps for the LGBTQ Entertainment District and Micro-PID. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: For any priority that cannot be fully funded in FY2026-27, the Commission recommends that Council support a practical first-year investment or provide formal direction to the City Manager identifying the responsible department, implementation cost, available funding options, timeline, measurable outcomes, and minimum viable path toward implementation. Date of Approval: ____________________ Record of Vote: ______________________