As Austin residents grapple with inflation and yet another record-setting budget (with its attendant tax hikes and rate increases), another item is coming for their wallets.
According to KXAN, on Thursday, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to come up with a “comprehensive climate plan.” Once this “plan” is devised, the council would then present voters with a bond proposal. The subsequent bond election would happen in either 2025 or 2026.
Most of the bond proceeds would be used to purchase land and create a charging network for electric vehicles. The remainder would cover vague “climate” and “resiliency” upgrades to city facilities. In May, the city’s chief sustainability officer suggested a price tag of at least $1.8 billion for these measures.
Notably, by punting the bond election into a future year, the bond election will occur after Mayor Kirk Watson’s 2024 re-election campaign.
Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly told Texas Scorecard, “Nothing the City of Austin does related to climate, with taxpayer dollars, will prevent the effects of a lack of investment by neighboring jurisdictions.”
The conservative Kelly recently posted a record-breaking fundraising haul. While Kelly is as strongly positioned as any conservative running in a liberal jurisdiction can be, even if she wins re-election, she would only be one vote out of 11 on the dais. Six votes are needed to defeat a council item.
Concerned Austinites can contact City Manager T.C. Broadnax at (512) 974-2200.
