Updated thoughts on TRE

[Colleen Pate]

Council:

Thanks to all of you for your detailed efforts on this difficult budget.

I've said consistently that Austin needs additional revenue to meet the quality of life needs of our city. I've also said that we need to make our city's affordability the top priority of city government. Of course, I've pointed out that there's an inherent tension between raising money from taxes, fees, and rates and our affordability. I've argued for us to be limited in our TRE approach, focus on basic services, follow plans that are in place, and otherwise be disciplined and balanced in fighting for affordability while we look for revenue to fund services.

This past weekend, I created a new potential TRE proposal. I'm posting that option here.

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 114552.pdf

My weekend proposal is a 5 cent plan, which is higher than my previous 3.5 cent proposal. This 5 cent option is made up in part by looking at other proposals and comments about what some of you would like to see in a TRE. And it focuses on basic services. I've also attached my 3.5 cent proposal for reference. (In both original versions, I had the CSCRM at $150k. As Council Member Velasquez pointed out, that is already in the manager's proposal, so I made that edit. I also made changes to the 3.5 cent proposal consistent with my comments on the dais when we laid out amendments.)

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 114258.pdf

I did not and do not want to go to 5 cents on a TRE. That is not my first choice. I believe my earlier 3.5 cent proposal is better. However, I'm willing to try to achieve consensus. And by focusing on core services, including core services that Council Members have advocated, my 5 cent proposal attempts the discipline and balance I believe we need when addressing the difficulty of both raising revenue and addressing affordability.

I'm not looking at only the amount of a potential TRE. How we spend the money also matters. I'm willing to consider going above my initial 3.5 amount only if the money goes to basic services. My 5 cent proposal offers to fully fund our Homeless Strategy Office Plan without adding items outside that plan, increased funding to important public safety requests, and prioritizes our parks, among other basics.

I look forward to our discussion tomorrow.

Again, I appreciate the effort everyone is making. Thanks for the work.

Kirk

On behalf of Mayor Watson