Austin, TX

A look inside Austin City Council’s climate investment plan, city manager search & more

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

A look inside Austin City Council’s climate investment plan, city manager search & more

Editor’s note: City Hall Insider is a roundup of items the Austin City Council is set to vote on, other local government news and an inside look at my reporting process. This story will be updated following action from the Austin City Council.

Shortly after I moved to Texas, I heard several horror stories about the fallout from the two severe winter storms that battered the Austin area in 2021 and 2023.

I received several tips from friends and family members: make sure you have extra bottled-water on hand, buy an extra charger for your car and, most of all, make sure you have everything you need before February, because February is the month when things gets bad and you might just lose power and/or water.

But, so far, it would seem, mother nature has blessed Central Texas will a rather mild, and often pleasant, February and 2024 winter season. I’m no meteorologist, but I certainly breathed a sigh of relief after January’s winter weather event left me with only a few frozen pipes — power and water services full intact, as it seemed to be for most of the city.

But the cautionary climate tales I heard weren’t just restricted to winter weather.

I experienced in my first summer here the extreme heat (the one that broke records here last summer with several consecutive days above 105 degrees), saw the wildfires sweeping through the city and county, and droughts across the region.

These severe climate related events aren’t news to the city and council members. In 2019, the Austin City Council declared a climate emergency and an accelerated timeline to meet the city’s climate goals. Long-term plans to meet these goals were approved both before and after this declaration.

But some City Council members feel the implementation of these goals are not coming fast enough, and are seeking to create an investment plan to help the city meet these goals and identify how much it will cost to do so.

The first step of that will be up for vote at today’s City Council meeting, along with more than 40 other agenda items, including the approval of the city’s $2 million contribution to a mental health diversion center pilot program.

Another bit of Austin City Hall news these past two weeks came from an unlikely source: Bozeman, Montana. (If you know, you know. We’ll get into that more later).

A roadmap to implement climate goals

The City Council has in the past approved several detailed plans to address climate issues. Maybe you remember hearing about Water Forward, the city’s century long water resiliency plan, or the Austin Climate Equity Plan, the city’s goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

“We have done a lot as a city in terms of making plans and setting goals, but we have found that we are falling short of too many of those goals,” Council Member Ryan Alter told me.

Alter and other council members have co-sponsored a resolution up for vote today that, among other things, would direct city staff to determine the investments needed to fulfill goals outlined in several city-approved plans like Water Forward and the Austin Climate Equity Plan.

It also requests the city and Joint Sustainability Committee take public feedback on potential climate related investments.

“I think of it as building a menu,” Alter said. “Here are the types of investments you need to make to reach our goals, here are the various ways you pay for it.”

The resolution would not approve the allocation of any funding, but would serve as a roadmap for future investments that could come before the City Council and, potentially, Austin voters. The resolution draft cites the possibility of a 2024 bond election as one of the ways to secure funding. (Bond referendums allow voters to approve or reject financing for capital improvement projects.)

There are several other funding mechanisms that will be evaluated as potential sources to complete these goals, like utility rates and fees, general fund expenditures and grants. There is also an emphasis in the draft resolution on maximizing potential tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“We have to start taking bold action right now to meet our climate goals, because climate change is here and it’s only going to get worse,” Alter said.

Mental Health Diversion Center

In January, my colleague Skye Seipp reported on Travis County’s pilot program for a Mental Health Diversion Center that would give low-level criminal offenders with unmet mental health needs the option of receiving treatment instead of jail.

More: Travis County set to begin pilot program of mental health diversion center in coming weeks

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved the creation of the mental health diversion center last March. The pilot will serve as a trial run for the types of programs the county could offer when it opens up an actual facility, which could be another 5½ years away, Seipp reported.

Part of the pilot program includes a $2 million contribution from the city of Austin, which will be on the City Council agenda for a vote today. The County is paying $8 million, with another $2 million coming from Central Health.

The pilot program will use Integral Care’s Psychiatric Emergency Services program on Airport Boulevard, according to the recommendation attached to the item, and repurpose Integral Care’s 15th Street crisis residential program, located in a city-owned facility.

There is set to be a total of 25 bed spaces, Robert Kingham, the Downtown Austin Community Court administrator, told the City Council on Tuesday.

During a Tuesday work session, there was a rather robust Q & A session with Kingham and the City Council. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson had several technical questions for Kingham about the pilot program, some of which Kingham did not have answers for on the spot.

I wonder if any of these questions will resurface at today’s meeting or if any amendments will be proposed. Some of the questions very well could have been addressed off the dais before today’s meeting as well.

City manager search

Now folks, I’m not going to sit hear and say no one has ever had a bad day at work and had choice things to say all meant to remain in the veil of confidence. It happens, we’re human. Sometimes you just need to vent, or complain, or scream or whatever.

But, as the leader of any city, getting caught on a hot mic/camera moment not only slamming your colleagues, but also boasting about the possibility of a potential new job while simultaneously calling it “a (expletive) show,” is quite possibly a career-ending storm.

And that might just be the case for the City Manager of Bozeman, Montana.

This past week, I reported on a nearly 20-minute leaked video where the city manager of Bozeman touts that he was contacted by the head-hunting firm, Mosaic Public Partners, leading Austin’s City Manager search about potentially applying for the position.

More: Bozeman city manager slams Austin job, calls city ‘a (expletive) show’ in leaked video

In that video, while also criticizing about his colleagues in Montana, Jeff Mihelich revealed that he was a potential candidate for the city manager position in Austin, and then proceeded slam the city and it’s operations.

He also talked about a potential $475,000 salary for the top-job in Austin, which is much higher than the current interim city manager and past city manager were paid. Whether or not that will be the base salary for the next top-dog in Austin remains to be seen.

City Commissioners in Bozeman requested Mihelich resign in a unanimous vote on Monday, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. I doubt he is still in the running as a potential candidate for Austin, but, that is well beyond my current purview of knowledge, and Mosaic Public Partners never responded to my request for comment for last week’s story.

All that to be said, the city manager search process is still well underway. Applications for the position just closed this week and the search firm will continue to winnow down candidates.

The city is also requesting public input on what Austinites would like to see in a new city manager, who, if you may have forgotten, is responsible for overseeing the city’s implementation of City Council-approved policy, the hiring of nearly all executive level leaders in the 10th largest city in the country and drafting the annual budget, which clocked in at $5.5 billion last summer.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for following along! I hope you’ll continue reading “City Hall Insider,” published the day of every Austin City Council meeting, which is usually bi-weekly. In the meantime, I will continue my coverage of local government and politics. To share additional tips or insight, email me at emccarthy@statesman.com. You can also find me on X, formerly Twitter, @byEllaMcCarthy.

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Austin, TX

Austin weather: Storms, gusty winds expected across Central Texas as cold front moves in

Published

5 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Austin weather: Storms, gusty winds expected across Central Texas as cold front moves in

Austin weather: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Storms will make their way into Central Texas Saturday afternoon. Some have the chance to turn severe with gusty winds and the chance of flooding. FOX 7 meteorologist Adaleigh Rowe has the details.

AUSTIN, Texas – A cold front moving through Central Texas is expected to bring scattered storms, gusty winds, and a sharp drop in temperatures Saturday, with conditions improving by Easter Sunday.

Austin Saturday Forecast

The primary threats include wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph and the potential for localized flooding.

The approaching cold front is expected to intensify storms as they move eastward late Saturday morning into the afternoon. Residents are advised to remain weather-aware during this period.

Temperatures, which started in the low 70s Saturday morning, are forecast to drop throughout the day, falling into the 50s and 60s by late afternoon. Strong northerly winds, with gusts up to 30 mph, will continue into Sunday.

Easter Sunday forecast

By Saturday evening, rain chances are expected to diminish, leading to a mostly dry but cloudy and breezy Easter Sunday. Morning temperatures will begin in the 50s, with afternoon highs only reaching the 60s.

Austin 7-Day forecast

The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX 7 Meteorologist Adaleigh Rowe.

WeatherAustin

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Austin, TX

Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin

Published

18 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin

The Austin Police Department is investigating a Thursday evening shooting at the Penske Rental Truck facility in East Austin that resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man.

The department revealed details about the incident in a Friday press release. At around 5:42 p.m., Austin police officers responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call at the Penske Rental Truck facility located at 8201 Tuscany Way.

The caller reported that a man had been shot. When officers arrived, they encountered two individuals next to a man on the ground suffering from visible gunshot wounds. The injured person was later identified as 39-year-old William Rogers.

APD officers provided Rogers with medical assistance until Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene to transport him to a local hospital, where he died.

Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene and learned that Rogers and another man, 28-year-old Javarus Crumpton, knew each other and both worked as movers.

The two men and the third man arrived at the facility to rent a Penske moving truck. After an argument arose regarding the rental deposit cost, Crumpton allegedly shot Rogers. Crumpton and the third person remained on the scene and are cooperating with the investigation.

No arrests have been made in the case, which is being investigated as Austin’s 17th homicide of 2026. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office was notified about the incident.

Residents with information about the case can contact APD at 512-974-TIPS. Submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting its website or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

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Austin, TX

Bluebonnets Austin: 25 Best Places To See Blooms In 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Bluebonnets Austin

Jump To: Central Austin | North Austin | South Austin | East Austin | West Austin

Each spring, spotting the vibrant bluebonnets Austin has in bloom is a quintessential Texas experience. From the historic bluffs of Pease Park to the curated displays at Zilker Botanical Garden, the city offers diverse ways to enjoy these iconic flowers.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend experiences we truly believe in! Curious about how we choose our content? Here’s our process.

Remember to check out our complete guide to Easter Egg Hunt Austin, Best Summer Camps in Austin, Restaurants with Playgrounds in Austin, Things To Do with Teens in Austin, Spring Break 2026 Camps in Austin!

Bluebonnets Central Austin

University of Texas at Austin

Image credit: The University of Texas at Austin

Discover a hidden gem: stunning bluebonnet displays right on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Explore historic buildings and gardens while enjoying these iconic Texas blooms.

Where: 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Pease District Park

Pease Park embodies the essence of Austin, with limestone bluffs, shaded trails, and rich history. Discover bluebonnets amidst this 84-acre oasis, restored and maintained by the Conservancy for everyone to enjoy.

Where: 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Daily 6:00 am- 10:00 pm

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Explore the Barton Creek Greenbelt: hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and vibrant bluebonnet displays! Discover multiple entry points along the creek and portions of the Violet Crown Trail within this Austin gem.

Where: 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Texas State Capitol

Explore Texas history and stunning bluebonnet displays at the iconic Texas State Capitol. This granite landmark, a National Historic Landmark, offers tours, exhibits, and a beautiful setting for wildflower viewing.

Where: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Laguna Gloria

Experience art and nature in harmony at Laguna Gloria. Explore contemporary sculptures and installations, and enjoy the beauty of bluebonnets in this tranquil oasis, a world away from the city.

Where: 3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

North Austin Bluebonnets

Brushy Creek Lake Park

Brushy Creek Lake Park offers a diverse outdoor experience: a scenic lake, extensive trails, playgrounds, and beautiful bluebonnet fields. Enjoy nature’s beauty and family fun in one location.

Where: 3300 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Operating Hours: Daily 5:30 am – 10:00 pm

Bull Creek District Park

Bull Creek District Park offers a blend of adventure and natural beauty. Hike scenic trails, mountain bike, play volleyball, swim in refreshing water holes, and discover vibrant bluebonnet displays in this popular Austin park.

Where: 6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park offers a wealth of outdoor activities: hiking, swimming, biking, sports, and off-leash dog areas. And don’t forget the beautiful bluebonnet displays!

Where: 12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Balcones District Park

Image credit: Balcones District Park

Balcones District Park offers family fun with a pool, playgrounds, and sports facilities, plus delightful bluebonnet sightings!

Where: 12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am- 10:00 pm

Great Hills Neighborhood Park

Tucked away in northwest Austin, Great Hills Neighborhood Park offers a beautiful hill country escape. Explore 80+ acres of natural beauty, hiking trails, and delightful bluebonnet displays, along with playgrounds and picnic areas.

Where: 10700 Floral Park Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Champion Park

Champion Park offers open space, dinosaur bone castings, and gorgeous bluebonnet displays! Enjoy playgrounds, fitness areas, picnic tables, and climbing boulders in a beautiful setting.

Where: 3830 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park

Discover a pleasant park at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park. Enjoy a pool, basketball court, and picnic areas, along with nice bluebonnet sightings.

Where: 7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am- 10:00 pm

Mayfield Park

Mayfield Park: an oasis of historic gardens, peacocks, and bluebonnets. Escape the city and discover towering palms, lush greenery, and vibrant wildflowers, all within a tranquil rock-walled sanctuary.

Where: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Bluebonnet Austin – South

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

For the ultimate bluebonnet experience, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Conveniently located near Austin, this center offers labeled displays, abundant photo opportunities, and a comprehensive introduction to Texas wildflowers.

Where: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park

Discover a park with something for everyone at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park. Enjoy trails, sports, fishing, disc golf, and lovely bluebonnet sightings.

Where: 907 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

St. Edward’s University

Image credit: St. Edward’s University

Explore St. Edward’s University, a campus with inviting walking trails and lovely bluebonnet sightings. Enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

Where: 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

James A. Garrison District Park

Relax and play at James A. Garrison District Park. Enjoy the pool, playgrounds, and sports facilities, all while spotting beautiful bluebonnets.

Where: 6001 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Operating Hours: Daily 8:00 am- 9:00 pm

McKinney Falls State Park

Experience the beauty of McKinney Falls State Park. Hike trails, swim in creek pools, explore historic sites, and find stunning bluebonnet fields, all within Austin’s city limits.

Where: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Operating Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Zilker Botanical Garden

Interconnected themed gardens, including the Japanese Garden and Prehistoric Garden, are linked by accessible paths at Zilker Botanical Garden. Don’t miss the stunning bluebonnet displays in spring.

Where: 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

East Austin Bluebonnets

Mueller Lake Park

Image credit: Mueller Austin

With ample parkland, all residents in the Mueller neighborhood live within 600 feet of green space. Open to the public, this park hosts community events and is a prime spot for Austin’s bluebonnet season.

Where: 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Roy G. Guerrero Colarado River Metro Park

Enjoy strolls along well-maintained trails, relax in picturesque picnic areas, and take advantage of the park’s convenient river access. Notably, the park is also renowned for its beautiful displays of bluebonnets during their blooming season.

Where: 400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Rosewood Neighborhood Park

Rosewood Neighborhood Park offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, basketball court, and picnic areas. During bluebonnet season, visitors can also enjoy scattered displays of the iconic Texas wildflowers.

Where: 2300 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

Boggy Creek Greenbelt

Explore the Boggy Creek Greenbelt, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy hiking along its trails, discover the tranquil beauty of the creek, and admire the springtime bloom of bluebonnets.

Where: 1114 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Bluebonnets in West Austin

West Basin Wilderness Preserve

A partnership between Travis County and St. Edward’s University safeguards 227 acres of stunning Hill Country terrain at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, a key component of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Explore 2.5 miles of trails, engage with the Wild Basin Creative Research Center, and experience the seasonal spectacle of blooming bluebonnets!

Where: 805 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 5:30 pm | Saturday – Sunday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

The park’s hiking trails wind through three distinct areas—prairie, canyon, and chaparral—providing varied scenery. In springtime, the park comes alive with a colorful array of wildflowers, most notably the iconic Texas bluebonnets.

Where: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Operating Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Emma Long Metropolitan Park provides open spaces, campsites, boat ramps, reservable picnic areas, and a beach entry swimming area. Bluebonnets also grow within the park during their blooming season.

Where: 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Looking for more? See the upcoming Weekend Events in Austin.

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.