Thread by @BThompson_CI

#atxcouncil Budget adoption meeting now underway. Mayor Adler says the meeting will start with ~110 public speakers before moving into an executive session to discuss items including city's Candlewood Suites purchase for shelter space and Nov. 2 election

First few public comments have been related to crime/APD budget and Candlewood Suites. After former Council Member Bill Spelman spoke about police staffing and homicides, CMs taking a minute to question him on current trends, potential fixes

Spelman told me last week the SAN ballot measure that would tie Austin to 2 police officers per 1,000 city residents--something city staff yesterday estimated could cost ~$54.3M-$119.8M annually--is a "well-meaning but terrible idea." Council will discuss the measure later today

CMs also spend some time discussing APD cadet academy curriculum review with speaker Kathy Mitchell. Sounds like some follow-up on that process could be coming from council

After a morning of public comment, council breaks for a 45-minute lunch. That will be followed some budget Q&A between council and staff--no hard decisions to be made--before executive session. More detailed budget talks and potential adoption to come later in the day

And we are back from lunch, staff starting with a budget presentation before. Interim Budget Officer Kerri Lang starts off detailing some staff amendments to original budget outline

And after some quick clarifications, council moves to executive session. They'll return this afternoon to work through budget items and Candlewood Suites purchase

Council is back from executive session, Mayor Adler says officials will look at election and Candlewood items on the agenda before getting to the budget. Sounds like they may work til late this evening and come back tomorrow

First up is Save Austin Now ballot proposition, including APD staffing requirement of 2.0 police officers per 1,000 city residents. City estimates this would actually require funding 2.13-2.35 officers per 1,000 to account for vacancies, cost $271.5-$598.8 million over 5 years

CM Kelly says she would vote in favor of adopting the measure immediately, but given lack of support across council they're now considering the addition of this item to the city's Nov. 2 election for voters to decide instead. Final language here: austintexas.gov/edims/document…

Laying out proposition language, Mayor Adler highlights "pretty significant problems" related to omission of initiative's "key features" including its potential cost. The city has added its cost estimate to this ordinance language, SAN had not yet referenced such a number

MPT Harper-Madison notes several resident comments on SAN's gathering of signatures for petition to get Prop A on the ballot. Notes that despite concerns, "we just can’t do anything" about removing peoples' names from petitions at this point

CM Casar asks for city CFO Ed Van Eenoo to speak on his estimates of the proposition's costs. Here's Van Eenoo's analysis of those requirements: austintexas.gov/edims/pio/docu…

Again, Van Eenoo says low end of Prop A cost over 5 years would be ~$271.5M, high end cost could be nearly $600M. Casar highlights estimate showing how annual high-end cost compares to other city department budgets (more than either Parks and Rec, EMS, Public Health)

Casar said the measure adding several hundred police officers could mean the city would lose: 400 firefighters + 400 parks and library staff + 210 EMS medics + 255 health & social service staff + 160 courts and other staff per year

Casar: "This is just a sense of just how big and just how devastating it would be to our budget" esp. regarding public safety

Casar also clarifies that estimate of staffing losses is based on proportional estimate of what ~$120M (high end annual Prop A cost) could total, rather than where actual losses may fall if proposition passes

CM Fuentes also references the $120M and how "staggering" cost could bring "really harsh cuts" to neighborhood resources, public safety. CM Pool agrees, says it's "fiscally irresponsible" and ties the city's hands indefinitely

CM Kitchen on Prop A: "It's not effective." Says the requirement of 2 officers per 1,000 residents does not target the city's safety needs

CM Ellis also says she has serious concerns over today's public testimony from residents saying they were misled when signing petition to get proposition on the ballot. "That's really unacceptable and not a part of our democratic process"

CM Alter says she sees the proposition as irresponsible in a fiscal, social, legal sense. Also says it could require the city to bump its tax rate up close to a maximum every year or face deep cuts

CM Renteria also calls measure irresponsible. Notes that cuts could affect funding for library, parks, swimming pools, rec centers: "That’s what’s keeping us safe"

CM Tovo says she agrees with Alter, believes measure is legally questionable and in conflict with city charter while tying the hands of city officials' budget planning. "I really want to make sure that anybody who is considering voting for it really well understands the budget"

Despite CM opposition, Proposition A is officially added to the Nov. 2 ballot in a unanimous vote

After brief discussion, the new Proposition B--not a homeless ordinance, but an ask of voters related to the sale or lease of 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd. near Lady Bird Lake--passes with Casar and Alter abstaining, Fuentes off the dais). Language here: austintexas.gov/edims/document…

Mayor Adler now discussing the purchase of Candlewood Suites in Williamson County for homeless housing. Speaks to WillCo county judge, commissioner concerns over the site and purchase process, Austin's Summit Plan to house 3,000 people in 3 years ahead of council vote

CM Kelly says she's opposed to purchase and concerned the city has not adequately engaged WillCo/D6 residents. Also notes her resolution passed in June related to inter-county cooperation on homeless strategy has not received an update, and will not until late August

CM Kitchen also notes opposition to purchase, issues with WillCo communications, and CM Kelly's objections: "Moving forward with what is not the best option is not appropriate for us to do today and I’m disappointed that we’re doing that"

CM Casar notes his view on effectiveness of Austin's homeless hotel strategy, recent transitions of dozens to shelter/housing: "I want to continue seeing that strategy work here"

MPT Harper-Madison shares concerns about the purchase and agrees Candlewood is not the best location for permanent supportive housing. Also says some local fears and anxieties about the program may be "overstated" and hopes for better communication with WillCo in future

The WillCo Candlewood Suites purchase by city of Austin for homeless permanent supportive housing passes 7-4. CMs Kelly, Pool, Kitchen, Alter vote against

Council will now recess for dinner until around 7:15, sounds like around an hour of budget talks coming tonight

Council is back and sticking around until around 8:30 tonight. Harper-Madison kicks off this portion bringing up her $480K amendment to create a Northeast Austin District Plan. City staff in a memo earlier this year said necessary funding for such a plan ($1.08M) wasn't available

CM Fuentes up next and speaking to her 2 amendments: $957K for community healthcare workers and $63K for laptops in public libraries. Also speaking to proposed direction on displacement navigators, flooding resilience, TravCo interlocal agreement waiving childrens' library fees

CM Kelly speaks to her amendment and budget rider. First, asks for $85.6K public health position for educator to assist those experiencing homelessness keeping their pets. Second, an ask for an additional and modified police cadet academy in the coming year

CMs Ellis and Pool with 2 amendments each to note: Ellis has a request for a new team of park rangers and parks department maintenance. Pool asks are for rec center after-school childcare and funding for Workforce First program for people experiencing homelessness

After CM budget amendment and rider asks, tax rate talk closes out tonight's session. Some discussion over whether to slightly raise tax rate above 3.5% "no-new-revenue" rate increase to cover more council priorities or keep it at that level and cut homeowner tax bill further

Mayor Adler would support raising tax rate, and more money, to potentially leave some unallocated dollars saved for "bumpy times" for city budget projected over the years ahead

On that note: Fuentes welcomes more conversation along this line. Kelly "will not budge" on raising above 3.5% increase. Ellis says she's uncomfortable w taxpayers lose out on savings. Pool wants to "circle around" or at 3.5% level, also wants to make sure city spends all ARPA $$

Tovo says she wants to take a close look at any staffing bumps this year given uncertainty in years ahead. Harper-Madison wants to find a middle path and is also seeking to be more conservative given "dismal" outlook for coming years

Council recesses its meeting until 10am tomorrow