Budget priorities
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:50 pm
Colleagues,
As we enter a challenging budget season this year due to the State-imposed revenue caps and other legislation, I want to take the opportunity sooner rather than later to highlight a few priorities and investments I plan to focus on and advocate for in the upcoming budget. This list may grow, but below are the investments that I know at this point I intend to prioritize:
- additional EMS resources for the Downtown Area Command to address the high call volume near 6th Street, as well as other community-based health investments;
-the in-sourcing of certain contracted custodial and janitorial employees per the Council-approved recommendations from the Contract Labor Working Group that I convened;
- a pilot grant program to address food insecurity experienced by area college students in our community, per the recommendation from the College Student Commission;
-more funding for local youth programming through our Parks and Recreation Department; and
-(potentially) additional resources for our local food system and food access initiatives, should more funds not be realized within our ARPA framework for these purposes.
Should these priorities not be reflected in the City Manager’s proposed budget, I intend to identify additional efficiencies and cost savings to help fund these investments and to introduce amendments to effect these measures.
I’m committed to ensuring that the City is poised for long-term financial health so as to avoid interruptions to critical City services and programs, especially programs that serve our community’s most vulnerable. I look forward to working with all of you during the budget process to ensure we make strategic investments to help foster an equitable, prosperous, and resilient Austin.
Best,
Kathie Tovo
As we enter a challenging budget season this year due to the State-imposed revenue caps and other legislation, I want to take the opportunity sooner rather than later to highlight a few priorities and investments I plan to focus on and advocate for in the upcoming budget. This list may grow, but below are the investments that I know at this point I intend to prioritize:
- additional EMS resources for the Downtown Area Command to address the high call volume near 6th Street, as well as other community-based health investments;
-the in-sourcing of certain contracted custodial and janitorial employees per the Council-approved recommendations from the Contract Labor Working Group that I convened;
- a pilot grant program to address food insecurity experienced by area college students in our community, per the recommendation from the College Student Commission;
-more funding for local youth programming through our Parks and Recreation Department; and
-(potentially) additional resources for our local food system and food access initiatives, should more funds not be realized within our ARPA framework for these purposes.
Should these priorities not be reflected in the City Manager’s proposed budget, I intend to identify additional efficiencies and cost savings to help fund these investments and to introduce amendments to effect these measures.
I’m committed to ensuring that the City is poised for long-term financial health so as to avoid interruptions to critical City services and programs, especially programs that serve our community’s most vulnerable. I look forward to working with all of you during the budget process to ensure we make strategic investments to help foster an equitable, prosperous, and resilient Austin.
Best,
Kathie Tovo