CivicIn7 Austin | Monday, December 1, 2025
TL;DR (Top 5 Things to Know Today)
AISD closes 10 schools starting 2026–27, reassigning 3,796 students and eliminating 6,319 empty seats to resolve the district’s $19.7M deficit.
HOME housing rules remain in effect, but Phase 2 draft changes are still pending—no official text yet for new lot-size, parking, or subdivision rules.
Utility bills rise by $9.54/month starting this cycle, totaling roughly $115 more per year for the average Austin household.
Travis County votes Tuesday on a key affordable-housing RONO for Tapestry at Easton Park, enabling access to state LIHTC funding.
Austin Water proposes updated drought triggers, lowering the Stage 2 threshold to 600,000 acre-feet ahead of the Jan 8 public hearing.
TODAY’S LEAD STORY
Austin ISD Board Approves Closure of 10 Schools, Affecting Nearly 3,800 Students in 2026–27
Priority: High
Summary
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to close 10 schools—eight elementary campuses, two middle schools, and International High School—effective before the 2026–27 school year. The closures will reassign 3,796 students, eliminate 6,319 empty seats, and are projected to yield $21.5 million in annual savings, enough to close the district’s $19.7 million budget deficit. Seven chronically low-performing schools will also enter TEA-mandated turnaround plans next year.
Key Data Points
Students Affected: 3,796 — AISD (✅)
Estimated Annual Savings: $21.5M — KUT (⚠️)
Schools Closing: 10 campuses — AISD (✅)
Direct Austin Impact
Families across the city will see major boundary shifts beginning in 2026–27. Neighborhoods with closures include Barrington, Becker, Dawson, Oak Springs, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widen, and Winn Montessori (program relocating to Reilly). Nearly 98% of attendance boundaries will change districtwide.
AISD will announce specific enrollment clinic dates in the coming days; families should monitor the district website and campus communications for details.
Civic Engagement
Interactive Map: Check new assignments at austinisd.org/consolidate
Contact Trustees: [email protected]
Turnaround Plans: Details posted on AISD TEA intervention page
Sources & Compliance
AISD Communications (✅)
KUT Education Desk (⚠️)
Redundancy Status: New
THE RUNDOWN
1. City’s HOME Code Continues; Phase 2 Draft Details Still Pending 🏘️
Priority: Medium
Summary
Austin’s existing HOME Amendments remain active, allowing up to three units on single-family-zoned lots. While several media outlets have referenced potential Phase 2 changes, the City has not yet posted any official draft text outlining proposed lot-size minimums, parking adjustments, subdivision “3×3” rules, or height specifications. All Phase 2 details remain unverified until the Housing Department releases the official draft.
Key Data Points
Current HOME Allowance: Up to 3 units on SF lots — City of Austin (✅)
Phase 2 Draft Text: Not yet publicly posted — [VERIFY]
City Timeline: Staff indicates additional materials expected early 2026 (⚠️)
Direct Austin Impact
Residents should anticipate future changes that may expand missing-middle housing opportunities, though no specific zoning adjustments are confirmed until official documents are published.
Civic Engagement
Track updates via the City’s HOME Amendments page
Submit feedback on SpeakUp Austin once draft text is posted
Sources & Compliance
City of Austin HOME Amendments Page (✅)
Secondary media summaries (⚠️ — attribution only)
Verification Needed
[VERIFY] Height limits, parking provisions, lot-size requirements — pending official text
Redundancy Status: Update
2. City Utility Rate Hikes Take Full Effect in December Bills 💧
Priority: Medium
Summary
Rate increases for Austin Water, Austin Resource Recovery, Watershed Protection, and the Transportation User Fee—approved in the FY26 budget—are now active. The combined impact is an average $9.54/month increase for residential customers beginning with December billing.
Key Data Points
Average Monthly Increase: $9.54/month — FY26 Budget (✅)
Departments Impacted: Water, ARR, Watershed, TUF — FY26 Budget (✅)
Direct Austin Impact
Household budgets will see a noticeable increase starting this month. For the average customer, this equals roughly $115 per year in additional utility costs. CAP-eligible residents should apply for Customer Assistance Program discounts immediately.
Civic Engagement
Apply for CAP at austintexas.gov
Review water and energy conservation rebates
Check bill estimate using Austin Utilities usage tools
Sources & Compliance
FY26 Budget (Utility Rates) (✅)
Redundancy Status: Update
3. Travis County to Vote Tuesday on RONO for Tapestry at Easton Park 🏡
Priority: Medium
Summary
The Travis County Commissioners Court will consider a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for the Tapestry at Easton Park affordable housing development during its December 2 Voting Session. The approval would allow the developer to apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a critical financing source for new affordable housing in the region.
Key Data Points
Meeting Date: Tue, Dec 2 — Commissioners Court Agenda (✅)
Project: Tapestry at Easton Park — Agenda (✅)
Unit Count: Not provided in publicly posted materials — [VERIFY]
Direct Austin Impact
The project would expand income-restricted housing options in Southeast Travis County, serving families earning 30–60% of Area Median Income.
Civic Engagement
Submit comments via Commissioners Court Public Communication portal
Attend the Dec 2 Voting Session in person or via livestream
Sources & Compliance
Travis County Agenda & Packet (✅)
Verification Needed
[VERIFY] Unit count and AMI distribution details
Redundancy Status: New
BRIEF MENTIONS
DAA Offers Half-Price Uber Rides in December
Up to 50% discounts aim to support downtown businesses during Convention Center construction. — KUT (⚠️)Austin Water Proposes Updated Stage 2 Drought Trigger
New threshold set at 600,000 acre-feet; hearing scheduled Jan 8, 2026. — Austin Water (✅)CapMetro Reduces Frequency on Seven Routes
December schedule cuts service on Routes 1L/1M, 5, 7, and 20 due to operator shortages. — CapMetro (✅)HOPE Outdoor Gallery Reopens at New Airport-Area Site
A 17-acre art park opens on Dalton Lane. — KUT (⚠️)
HOW TO ENGAGE RIGHT NOW
AISD Families: Use the district map to check 2026–27 school assignments
HOME Amendments: Watch for the official Phase 2 draft posting
County Residents: Comment on Tuesday’s Tapestry RONO vote
Utility Customers: Apply for CAP assistance to reduce monthly bills
CapMetro Riders: Review new route frequencies before commuting
CIVIC CALENDAR 🗓️
Tue, Dec 2 | 9:30 AM — City Council Work Session — (Agenda posted) (✅)
Tue, Dec 2 | 9:00 AM — Travis County Commissioners Court Voting Session — RONO discussion (Agenda posted) (✅)
Wed, Dec 10 | 10:00 AM — CapMetro Board Meeting — (Calendar posted) (✅)
For additional December meetings, check the Council Meeting Info Center and the City Clerk’s calendar for updates.
BY THE NUMBERS
3,796 — Students reassigned in AISD’s 2026–27 school map — AISD (✅)
724,000 acre-feet — Current Highland Lakes storage — LCRA (✅)
$9.54/month — Average utility bill increase now in effect — FY26 Budget (✅)
