BY DARCY SPRAGUE & BEN THOMPSON
City, chipmaker weigh economic deal Austin and NXP USA are considering a multimillion-dollar economic incentive agreement as the semiconductor company moves to grow its local presence. The details NXP is seeking to modernize its Oak Hill and East Austin facilities, around $290.8 million in upgrades bringing 53 new jobs. The investment would build on Central Texas’ growing footprint in the chipmaking industry and could tie into further federal investment in the sector. Officials were set to vote on the five-year deal, projected at a $1.53 million fiscal benefit to the city, on Sept. 21, after press time. They asked NXP to commit to child- care support alongside other workforce and community benefits in the plan.
Site plan woes Applicants to Austin’s development services are broadly dissatis ed with the system, according to a survey by McKinsey & Co., as reviews are taking longer to move through the city.
Average city review days per application
200 150 100 50
171 183
152
134 127
100 98 105 111 113
0
2020 Q4
2021 Q1
2021 Q2
2021 Q3
2021 Q4
2022 Q1
2022 Q2
2022 Q3
2022 Q4
2023 Q1
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Consultants to oversee $2.5M permitting fixes McKinsey & Co. consultants will oversee initial updates to Austin’s development reviews, after the firm reported on broad dissatisfaction with the city’s processes this summer. What happened In August, McKinsey released an extensive
report on findings and proposed improvements after taking a deep dive into Austin’s site plan review process. Some changes are already in effect and others are underway, according to the city. While that work came at no cost to Austin, City Council approved a $2.5 million contract to keep McKinsey around for six months as the recom- mended fixes are rolled out. “‘You have brought to us a really robust analysis of what our problems are in the site planning process. Now, we’re hiring you to implement what we need to do to fix all those things,’” Mayor Kirk Watson said Aug. 29 about the contract.
Henderson confirmed as Austin interim police chief Robin Henderson took the reigns at the Austin Police Department on Sept. 3 following City Coun- cil’s unanimous confirmation of her appointment as interim police chief Aug. 31. The details of staff overseeing department operations. “I value the trust [Chacon] has put in me to move the organization forward in a positive direction,” Henderson said in a statement. “I am truly honored and humbled and I appreciate the
opportunity to serve as your Interim Chief.” Henderson will remain in the role until a permanent chief is chosen by the city manager and confirmed by council following a search process.
Henderson took over after former Police Chief Joseph Chacon’s retirement Sept. 2. She’s been with the APD for 26 years and was Chacon’s chief
Austin officials unanimously confirmed Robin Henderson’s appointment in late August.
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