Austin Metric

How to turn the Mayor's $720 million bond proposal into a political winner that actually helps improve mobility.

The Mayor's $720 million mobility bond proposal over-focuses on protecting single-occupant car commutes.  As a result, the proposal is ineffective at improving Austin's mobility and household affordability.  Its design also undermines the …

Where the dollars get spent by each of the City of Austin's Corridor Programs.

Austin's Mayor recently revealed his November mobility bond proposal. Approximately $500 million of his $720 million proposal is dedicated towards funding the City's Corridor Programs.

The sections below summarize (1)  each program's spending focus and (2 …

The pros & cons of the proposed Civil & Family Courthouse.

This November, Travis County voters will be choosing whether to allow sale of $287 million in bonds to build a new Civil & Family Courthouse. Here are the main five topics discussed by proponents and opponents.

Is there a need for additional …

The City's Deputy CFO responds to my suggestions for improving budget presentations.

This response was a result of my earlier correspondence with the Deputy CFO on budget presentations.  You can read my letter to him here.  I've made several comments inline - you'll find them between square brackets with red text …

My letter to the City's Deputy Chief Financial Officer requesting changes to budget presentations.

An example: this much-reported chart from the City budget office doesn't include sales tax impacts.

__ Dear Mr. Van Eenoo,

Congratulations on completing this year's budget adoption cycle in a smooth and expeditious fashion. There was …