Government
BY ELLE BENT
Austin undergoes process to fund climate-related projects The projects that would be funded by a potential bond are not yet nalized but may likely include land acquisition, tree planting, water conservation and ood mitigation, according to the resolution. Council would have to approve any potential projects at a later date. The speci cs “There is a real urgency to this, [and we’re] trying to do this in a collaborative way, consistent with past processes.” MAYOR KIRK WATSON
A resolution passed by City Council on July 18 will enact a formal process of creating a climate-re- lated bond package before Austin voters see a one on a ballot. The overview The resolution, authored by Mayor Kirk Watson, enacts the following: • Directs council to create a bond election advisory task force to consider speci c projects to include in a bond package • Directs Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to conduct brie ngs on the city’s bond ratings and debt status • Directs Broadnax to propose a bond package that includes funds for climate-related projects to be placed on the ballot no later than November 2026 • Directs Broadnax to identify other funding sources for climate projects, such as federal grants or utility fees
Discussion surrounding a bond to fund cli- mate-related projects began in February, when council member Ryan Alter authored a resolution to search for additional funding sources toward already-implemented climate goals, such as the Austin Climate Equity Plan. Alter, alongside other council members, including Vanessa Fuentes, previously expressed a need to place a bond on the ballot this November, noting the e ects of climate change “can’t wait.” City nancial sta recommended not to go for another bond until at least 2026, as multiple bond projects are still underway.
City sta often tout Austin as a national leader in climate action, with over 15 years of sta working toward initiatives, such as the goal established in the 2021 Climate Equity Plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This means local greenhouse gas emissions would be removed from the atmosphere through reductions, storage or carbon o set credits. Alter told Community Impact in February his initial resolution addressed the types of investments o cials need to make to reach the already-set goals.
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