🗞️ CivicIn7 Austin | November 10 2025
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⚡ TL;DR
City Council meets Thu Nov 13 to decide on $6.2 M EMS cut + $14.1 M reserve transfer
Austin Energy’s 5 % rate increase now live on bills
MLK/I-35 bridge reduced to three lanes — expect months of delays
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) cases up 78 % statewide; boosters urged
AISD final school-closure list Nov 14, board vote Nov 20
Veterans Day events & holiday festivals across Austin this week
🧭 LEAD STORY
City Proposes $6.2 Million EMS Cut and $14.1 Million Reserve Transfer to Bridge Budget Gap
Confidence: High | Redundancy Status: New
Following the defeat of Proposition Q, Austin’s Financial Services Department issued a revised FY 2025-26 plan cutting $6.2 M from EMS and drawing $14.1 M from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund to temporarily fund social-service contracts. Council will consider the plan Thursday Nov 13 at 9 a.m. in a Special Called Meeting.
Key Data Points
EMS cut — $6.2 M (⚠️ KVUE; confirmed in city briefing)
One-time reserve transfer — $14.1 M (⚠️ KVUE)
Meeting time — Thu Nov 13 | 9 a.m. | City Hall (✅ City Clerk agenda)
Direct Impact Possible strain on EMS response times and a funding cliff for social-service providers after FY 25-26 without new revenue.
Engage: Register to speak by Wed Nov 12 via the City Clerk portal and review materials here.
Sources: ✅ City Council Agenda (11/6); ⚠️ KVUE Budget Report (ToS tegna.com)
🔹 THE RUNDOWN
1️⃣ Austin Energy 5 % Base-Rate Increase Now Appearing on Bills
Confidence: High | Redundancy Status: Update (Effective Nov 1)**
Austin Energy implemented its approved 5 % base-rate increase and a $1.50/month Customer Charge hike on Nov 1. While fuel costs fell slightly, these base charges are permanent and visible on November bills.
Impact: Typical 1,000 kWh household pays ≈ $5 – $7 more per month.
Engage: Estimate your bill and apply for assistance at austinenergy.com/assistance.
Sources: ✅ Austin Energy Rate Schedules | ✅ Residential Rates Page
2️⃣ MLK Boulevard Bridge Over I-35 Under 8-Month Lane and Ramp Closures
Confidence: High | Redundancy Status: New
TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express Central project has reduced the MLK bridge to three lanes (two eastbound, one westbound) and closed two ramps for ≈ eight months through mid-2026. Expect heavier traffic near UT and downtown.
Engage: Plan routes via DriveTexas.org or subscribe to my35capex.com alerts.
Sources: ✅ UT Construction Advisory | ✅ TxDOT Project Page
3️⃣ State Health Department Warns of Rising Pertussis Cases
Confidence: High | Redundancy Status: New
Texas DSHS issued a statewide alert Nov 3 after 612 pertussis cases YTD (+78 % vs 2024). Infants under six months are most at risk; adult immunity wanes over time.
Impact: APH urges boosters for anyone around infants; pregnant individuals should receive Tdap each pregnancy.
Engage: Schedule a booster via your provider or APH clinics (512-972-5520).
Sources: ✅ Texas DSHS Health Alert | ✅ DSHS Surveillance Dashboard
4️⃣ AISD to Release Final School Consolidation Recommendations Thursday
Confidence: Medium | Redundancy Status: Update (Final Release Pending Nov 14)**
AISD will post its final closure and boundary plan Nov 14 before a Nov 20 Board vote (6 p.m.). The plan addresses a $20 M shortfall and ≈ 25 K empty classroom seats, mainly in District 1 (East), District 2 (Southeast), and District 4 (North Central).
Impact: Families in these areas may see campus closures or reassignments starting 2026.
Engage: Submit feedback by Nov 19 at austinisd.org/consolidation; register to testify Nov 19-20.
Sources: ✅ AISD Board Calendar | ⚠️ Community Impact
⚡ BRIEF MENTIONS
PUCT Open Meeting | Fri Nov 14 | 9:30 a.m. — ERCOT capacity and grid planning review at puc.texas.gov. (✅)
Water Restrictions — Conservation Stage — Automatic irrigation 1 day/week; hose-end 2 days/week. Check Find Your Watering Day. (✅ Austin Water)
🎡 HAPPENING NEAR YOU
Veterans Day Parade — Tue Nov 11 | 9 a.m. | Congress Ave → Texas Capitol (✅)
Austin Energy Customer Forum — Tue Nov 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Rosewood Rec Center — Rate discussion (✅)
Austin Studio Tour — Nov 15–16 | Citywide studios | Free map via Big Medium (✅)
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting — Sun Nov 30 | 6 p.m. | Zilker Park (✅)
🗓️ CIVIC CALENDAR
Tue Nov 11 | 10 a.m. | Travis County Commissioners Court — Budget amendments + Veterans Day proclamation (✅)
Thu Nov 13 | 9 a.m. | Austin City Council — FY 25-26 budget revisions (✅)
Fri Nov 14 | 9:30 a.m. | PUCT — ERCOT capacity review (✅)
Mon Nov 17 | 12 p.m. | CapMetro Board — 2026 service updates & Project Connect (✅)
Wed Nov 20 | 6 p.m. | AISD Board of Trustees — Consolidation vote (✅)
📊 BY THE NUMBERS
$6.2 M — Proposed EMS budget cut pending Council approval Nov 13 (⚠️ KVUE / City Agenda)
5 % — Austin Energy base-rate increase effective Nov 1 (✅ Austin Energy)
8 months — MLK/I-35 lane closures through mid-2026 (✅ UT Advisory)
25 K seats — Estimated empty AISD classroom capacity pre-consolidation (⚠️ Community Impact)
269 openings — Current AISD job listings (62 teacher pool, 25 campus professional) (✅ AISD Job Portal)
