Austin Bond Election Advisory Task Force Offering Additional Public Comment Opportunities

The Task Force heard from more than 1,000 people regarding the potential bond election through various feedback tools offered in November and December 2017.

The City of Austin has scheduled four more opportunities for public testimony in January 2018. The meetings reflect an effort to provide another round of public engagement before the Bond Election Advisory Task Force, established by the Austin City Council in 2016, submits its recommendations for a 2018 bond election to Council.

At the listening sessions, members of the public each will be given three minutes to speak. The listening session schedule is as follows:

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, Little Walnut Creek Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Yarborough Library, 2200 Hancock Drive.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, ACC South Campus, 1820 W. Stassney Lane.

A person may request a Spanish language interpreter be made available by calling 512-974-1380 no later than 24 hours before the scheduled time of the meeting at which the person wants to speak.

The Task Force heard from more than 1,000 people regarding the potential bond election through various feedback tools offered in November and December 2017. Previous feedback opportunities in multiple languages included eight interactive town hall meetings, an online survey, and an online bond simulator.

The online feedback tools closed Dec. 8, with more than 860 participants. City staff is compiling results from the various engagement opportunities into a summary document for the Task Force to review prior to making its recommendations to Council, which is expected in spring 2018.

The Council specifically directed City staff and the Task Force to focus on funding efforts to address flooding, affordable housing, mobility, parks, libraries, and existing infrastructure. City departments identified more than $3 billion in needs during the next five years. From that list, City staff developed a $640 million bond package to serve as a starting point for the Task Force to consider.

While the Task Force develops its Council recommendations for the bond package, its 13 appointed members want to better understand what City infrastructure needs are most important to Austin residents and whether — and how much — the public would be willing to invest in those expenses.

The additional meetings in January are another opportunity for the public to provide feedback before the Task Force submits its recommendations to Council. The public also can comment at Task Force meetings.

More information about the Task Force can be found on the City’s website at austintexas.gov/2018bond.