City of Austin Council Message Board

Council:

Tomorrow, we have a work session. The original request was that the finance staff walk through each of the eight "alternative budget scenarios" from the 1 cent up to the 8 cent alternatives to the manager's proposed base budget. As everyone knows, the alternatives, together with the multiple work sessions and public comment, have done their job and allowed us all to see how different amounts of money can impact the budget for TRE purposes. We're already working past the alternatives and have started providing (or are working on) our own alternatives (can we call them "alternative alternatives?).

Thursday, we will all lay out our proposed amendments (they're due today at 6:00 PM), which will include discussion of our alternative alternatives. We aren't scheduled and won't be doing that tomorrow.

Instead, tomorrow, let's hear from the public speakers and then take whatever time needed to ask Kerri and her team (she will also have department directors there) any additional questions you might have, including questions about how an alternative would impact something. For example, how would the 2 cent (3 cent, 4 cent, etc...) scenario impact homeless services or parks maintenance...

Thanks for everyone's efforts. The process seems to be working well. I appreciate the work.

Kirk
On Behalf of Mayor Watson

We agree with this approach. As individual offices and sub-quorums prepare their own TRE scenarios, it makes the most sense to focus our time and attention on those and not confuse the public with the original staff scenarios.

To that end, as we will be laying out the various Council-developed TRE scenarios with our budget amendments on Thursday, we would suggest that we forego any staff presentation and give them that extra time to prepare for a comprehensive discussion on Thursday. We know they are working hard on getting additional information on our amendments and reconciling the various proposals, and we want to give them as much time as possible to do that. We welcome any feedback (in support or opposition) ahead of tomorrow and look forward to continuing the discussion.

Sincerely,
MPT Fuentes
CM Velásquez
CM Vela
CM Alter

I agree there is no need for a staff presentation. For clarity purposes, we will have public comment. And if Council Members have questions of staff, including department directors, there will be an opportunity for that.

Thanks, all. See you tomorrow.

Kirk

On behalf of Mayor Watson

Hi all, we write to agree with the proposal to forego a staff presentation tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for keeping us on track in this process.

CMs Siegel, Laine, Ellis & Qadri