2019 Budget Engagement: Austinites Invited To Discuss Their Investment & Priorities With Council, City Manager
The City has planned several Budget Talks out in the community. It also has posted an online information and survey tool that will remain open through the duration of the engagement process…
It’s budget engagement time again, and this year Austinites have many opportunities to provide their feedback. Guided by the Council-adopted Strategic Direction 2023, this year’s engagement seeks input on the return Austinites would like to see from their investment in local government.
This new outcome-based approach is the next step in aligning the City’s budgeting process with a specific set of strategic priorities laid out by the Council.
From the end of April through the middle of July, Austin residents can choose from a variety of options to provide input and feedback on the City budget. The City has planned several Budget Talks out in the community.
It also has posted an online information and survey tool that will remain open through the duration of the engagement process. All of the engagement opportunities are designed to determine the priorities of Austin residents prior to the development of next year’s budget.
Each of the Budget Talk meetings in the community will be hosted by the Council Member representing that district, and will feature opportunities to speak with budget staff as well as Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.
A citywide event, hosted by Austin Mayor Steve Adler, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Austin Central Library at 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701.
“A city’s budget is a reflection of a city’s values, so it’s important for me that we engage as many different voices in the process as possible,” Cronk said. “Community participation is vital to ensuring that we develop a City budget that works for everyone.”
The Budget Talk tour will begin May 12 and continue through June:
- Council Member Ora Houston, District 1: 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday, May 12, Millennium Youth Complex, located at 1156 Hargrave St.
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Mayor Steve Adler, Citywide: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., 78701
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish. This event will be televised on ATXN and live on the City’s main Facebook account.
- Council Member Delia Garza, District 2: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, The Learning and Research Center, located at 2800 Spirit of Texas Drive, Austin, TX 78719
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish.
- Council Member Pio Renteria, District 3: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center, located at 2100 E. 3rd St. 78702
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish.
- Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Spicewood Springs Library, located at 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, 78759
- Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, South Austin Senior Activity Center, located at 3911 Manchaca Road, 78704
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish.
- Council Member Alison Alter, District 10: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, June 18, Shalom Austin, located at 7300 Hart Lane, 78731
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish and Chinese.
- Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, Northwest Recreation Center, located at 2913 Northland Drive, 78757
° Interpretation and translation services will be provided in Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Additional information for events in Districts 4, 8, and 9 will be available in coming weeks.
Anyone can request interpretation services by calling 3-1-1 no later than 48 hours before the start time of the meeting you wish to attend. To request sign language interpretation, people can call 512-972-9848.
The City’s current budget is $3.9 billion and funds critical services for Austin residents, from public safety and mobility to parks and recreation and animal services. For more information about the City budget and the 2018 engagement process, visit AustinTexas.Gov/Budget.
