📰 CivicIn7 Austin | Thursday, October 2, 2025
⚡ TL;DR
Austin Energy proposes $9.50/month rate increase — public comment Oct 20; Council vote in November
Last chance to register: voter registration deadline is Monday, Oct 6 (Prop Q + 17 state amendments)
City Council to vote Oct 9 on Starlight Amphitheater financing district
Leander ISD approves open enrollment for non-residents starting Fall 2026
Travis County funds $4.8M Elroy Road safety improvements
🎯 TODAY'S FOCUS
Austin Energy Proposes Mid-Year Rate Increase to Recover Fuel Costs
Austin Energy filed on October 1 to increase its Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) — the portion of bills that recovers fuel costs. The utility points to summer natural gas prices running 18% above forecast. If approved, bills for the average household (1,000 kWh/month) would rise $9.50/month, starting February 2026.
Key Data Points:
Proposed increase: $9.50/month at 1,000 kWh usage — [Austin Energy Docket EU-2025-14] ✅
Fuel costs: 18% above projections (May–Aug 2025) — [Austin Energy release] ✅
Timeline: Electric Utility Commission hearing Oct 20, City Council vote expected in November
Direct Austin Impact: ~$114 more annually for average households; heavier users would pay more. Adjustment is for cost recovery, not profit.
Civic Engagement:
🗣️ Testify: Electric Utility Commission, Oct 20 at 6:00 PM (register by noon same day)
📩 Contact: Email or call your Council member
📑 Monitor: Full filing available on Austin Energy’s docket site
📌 THE RUNDOWN
🚔 APD Launches Park Break-In Prevention for ACL Fest
APD announced new patrols, signage, and outreach on Sept 30 to curb vehicle burglaries in city parks, especially around Zilker and Barton Creek Greenbelt during ACL weekends.
Impact: More visible police presence; residents advised to lock cars, hide valuables, and report suspicious activity.
Source: APD Newsroom (9/30) ✅🎶 Council to Vote Oct 9 on Starlight Amphitheater PID
Council will decide whether to approve a Public Improvement District (PID) to finance sidewalks, lighting, and infrastructure around the planned South Austin amphitheater. Rate set at $0.10 per $100 valuation on commercial property only.
Impact: District 2 development, with traffic concerns noted by neighbors.
Engage: Register by Oct 8 at noon to speak at Council’s Oct 9 meeting.
Sources: City Council Agenda (10/9) ✅; Austin Monitor ⚠️🚆 Project Connect Approves Final Downtown Station Designs
ATP Board unanimously approved 100% designs for Republic Square and Auditorium Shores light rail stations on Oct 1. Utility relocation slated to begin in mid-2026.
Impact: Key step toward locking costs and timeline for central rail segment.
Engage: Next community update Nov 12; sign up at ProjectConnect.com.
Sources: ATP Board Materials (10/1) ✅; KUT (10/2) ⚠️🚧 Travis County Approves $4.8M Elroy Road Safety Project
On Sept 30, Commissioners awarded a $4.8M contract to add shoulders and straighten curves along 2.1 miles of Elroy Road in Del Valle. Work begins early 2026, lasting ~12 months.
Impact: Safer travel for Del Valle residents; expect intermittent lane closures.
Engage: Track updates via Travis County Transportation webpage.
Source: Commissioners Court Minutes (9/30) ✅⚾ Pflugerville Expands 1849 Park Budget by $353K
Council approved an additional $353,000 on Sept 18 for electrical upgrades required by Oncor, bringing the park project total to ~$9.5M. Completion expected Jan 2026.
Impact: Supports reliable service for new baseball/softball fields in NE metro.
Sources: Pflugerville Council Minutes (9/18) ✅; Community Impact (10/1) ⚠️🎓 Leander ISD Opens Enrollment to Non-Residents (Fall 2026)
Board voted Sept 18 to allow non-resident students to apply for open seats, aiming to fill under-enrolled campuses.
Impact: Expanded school choice for families near LISD borders (Austin, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill).
Engage: Application window opens Jan 2026 via LISD.
Source: Leander ISD Board Briefs (9/18) ✅
🔎 BRIEFS
📢 Emergency Alert Test: City tested federal IPAWS alerts on Sept 29. Residents should still sign up for Warn Central Texas.
✈️ ACL Airport Advisory: AUS urges travelers to arrive early (2.5–3 hrs) during ACL weekends (Oct 3–5 & Oct 10–12).
🔥 Burn Ban: Travis County ban on outdoor burning continues in unincorporated areas.
🏊 Parks Update: PARD winter registration opens Oct 7 (10 AM). Barton Springs & Deep Eddy pools stay open through Oct 26.
📊 BY THE NUMBERS
$114/year — estimated average household increase if the Austin Energy PSA rate is approved. Based on 1,000 kWh usage.
📅 THE CIVIC CALENDAR
Oct 3–5: 🎸 ACL Music Festival, Weekend One
Oct 6: 🗳️ Last day to register for Nov 4 election (Prop Q + 17 state amendments) → VoteTravis.com
Oct 7, 10:00 AM: PARD winter program registration opens
Oct 9, 10:00 AM: Austin City Council meeting (Starlight Amphitheater PID vote)
Oct 14, 9:00 AM: Travis County Commissioners Court
Oct 20, 6:00 PM: Electric Utility Commission hearing on Austin Energy PSA increase (register by noon)
Oct 20–31: Early voting
Nov 4, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM: Election Day
