January 27, 2012 After several thousands of pages of reading, scores of meetings, and hours of deliberation, I can offer the following starting points for discussions on the Austin Energy proposed rate design. Please see below for background details. Thanks, Bill Revenue Requirement Studies Reduce revenue to cover only projected operating losses this year [...]
Bill Spelman Announces Re-Election Campaign
Austin, Texas – Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman announced today that he will seek reelection to his Place 5 seat. “Like many of us, I’ve lived in a lot of places,” Spelman said. “My family chose Austin because it’s the best place in America to live. I intend to ...
Please Join Us for Bill’s Re-Election Campaign Kick-Off!
Re-Elect Bill Spelman Campaign Kick-Off Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Sponsorship Levels $100 * $200 * $350 * $700
Bill Spelman Announces Re-Election Campaign
Austin, Texas – Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman announced today that he will seek reelection to his Place 5 seat. “Like many of us, I’ve lived in a lot of places,” Spelman said. “My family chose Austin because it’s the best place in America to live. I intend to help keep it that way.” [...]
Spelman wins 2011 American Society of Criminology Award for Outstanding Article
The American Society of Criminology recently announced that Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman will receive the Society’s 2011 award for Outstanding Article in the Field of Criminology for 2010. Spelman, who is also a professor of urban policy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at theUniversityofTexasatAustin, will travel toWashingtonD.C.this week to attend the [...]
Update to water analysis
Last week Bill released some figures charting the projected growth of water bills over the next five years. Here’s another way of looking at that same information. This first chart shows bills increasing by about 25% under the Austin Water Utility proposal compared to an 11% bill increase adjusting for inflation (as projected by the [...]
Spelman analyzes projected 5 year water bill increases
Bill is working on an analysis of projected five-year water rate increases and has asked City staff to review it. At the Council’s next budget work session he will lead a discussion of it with them. Please take a look and let us know if you have thoughts. To take a look at Bill’s analysis, you [...]
Improving Budget Accountability
Update: Council unanimously passed the budget resolution at its April 21st meeting. Budget work sessions discussion started up yesterday (May 10th) with in depth conversations about the Water Utility and Solid Waste Services. Check out our most recent post on increasing water bills — an analysis that came directly out of yesterday’s discussion. Earlier: This [...]
Coffee House Office Hours
It’s that time again! Come to Flipnotics on Barton Springs Road on Friday May 7th from 2:30 to 4:00 if you want to chat!
Council Considers Travel Ban on Arizona
Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez, City Council Member Bill Spelman and Mayor Lee Leffingwell announced today that they will introduce a resolution at the May 13th City Council meeting directing the City Manager to limit employee travel to Arizona and to present a plan to the Council for terminating business and investment relationships with [...]
Vacancy on the Austin Airport Advisory Commission
I’m looking to nominate someone to the Austin Airport Advisory Commission. If you are interested in general aviation and/or advocating for ABIA’s customers (ie, a frequent nationwide/international flyer based in Austin) please consider serving your community. You can apply online.