2026 Council Committees and Intergovernmental Appointments

[Colleen Pate]

Council Members,

As we get ready to start the new year, I want to start organizing Council Committee assignments and the assignments from the Council to intergovernmental bodies for 2026. I’ve attached links to the Council Committees and Intergovernmental body appointments for 2025 for reference. Of course, there may be other openings as Council Members make decisions about where they want to serve, and they may choose to step off a current assignment.

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 084310.pdf

As a reminder, here’s a link to the code provision regarding these appointments:

https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/ ... -102MECOCO

I’m posting all of this a little early so people will have time to think about it over the holidays.

The plan would be for the Council to then utilize the message board as a means of consultation under the code and to discuss desires and thoughts before appointments and the filing of the appointments with the clerk. We will, of course, address all of this at our first Work Session on January 20th.

I also think we should give some thought to how we would like to use committees so that we get best results for the city and for how we operate as a Council.

For example, I think we’ve improved how we use the committees to more fully vet or examine an item before it comes to Council, avoiding items (even ones that have had a sub quorum) just having about a week of public awareness (and awareness for Council Members not in the sub quorum) before it hits a Council agenda. I feel like there’s room for more improvement and ask that we consider how we can do that.

Another thought is how we utilize the committees to address Council priorities. The committees could make sure we’re fully evaluating approaches and looking at the items.

Those are just a couple of thoughts. I have others and, as we start the year, I’m sure there are things you all may want us to think through. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Thank you,

Kirk
On Behalf of Mayor Watson