[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6665680,"mediaKeyId","2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05","parentId",2346797,"title","Audit & Finance Committee approves minutes and adjusts March calendar; nominations item postponed","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",239000,"endMs",295000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05&start=239&end=295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05/thumbnail_239000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6665680/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-Finance-Committee-approves-minutes-and-adjusts-March-calendar-nominations-item-postponed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665680-aa168549ffab72463c95517b82037064/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181988&Signature=So7pdu8hFZVW2i1s5WoQ3R5-3vpZAyN4QlH9Mh3IWdNsCzMXxih36e6x4o1PsTermMSjU8ExlS9bzyTU3HfDSf9AQJ3AZCvJQv0T~NIdteoYYD6rYwWUr0jGfiiGAVxkUN~UFAeoxqoNlMveVqYJ3SzKYOytuyOtqbmFwAHQKwL2bteGE-Bi1P1-aWKUOq7qoawudvza86EvsIg-0WBwp8va~d~SFCi12oF1RnPDtFZhvshvBheIwOgGOu7yv5spY2eZWJPmZxZRAphWLBGe2qAKyeua7spcS~W~IgI8M17R0ziVwncXJzQrJdeVPC-CyzEma61U15fY7BAf8ANkQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","At the Feb. 19, 2025 meeting the Audit and Finance Committee recorded the following procedural actions:

The committee approved the minutes of the Dec. 11, 2024, Audit and Finance Committee meeting. The chair called for a motion; the mayor Pro Tem moved approval and Council member Duchin seconded. Hearing no discussion, the chair declared the minutes approved.

The committee amended the 2025 Audit and Finance Committee calendar: it removed March 19, 2025 (the week of spring break) and added a meeting on March 26, 2025. Council member Veil moved the calendar amendment; the mayor Pro Tem seconded and the motion was adopted.

Later in the meeting, the committee postponed consideration of nominations to fill a vacancy on the Municipal Civil Service Commission to a future Audit and Finance Committee meeting. The chair announced the item would be taken up at a later date.

No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript for these motions; minutes record the motions, makers and seconders and chair declarations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Audit and Finance Committee - Feb 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved minutes from Dec. 11, 2024, amended the 2025 committee calendar (removed March 19 and added March 26) and postponed nominations to the municipal civil service commission to a future meeting.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665686,"Public commenter urges audit of Parks Department nonprofit partnerships, cites Trail of Lights fees and finances",184,50000,234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05&start=50&end=234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05/thumbnail_50000.jpg","/articles/6665686/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Public-commenter-urges-audit-of-Parks-Department-nonprofit-partnerships-cites-Trail-of-Lights-fees-and-finances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665686-947f1ec9cead367534d745a585269a9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181988&Signature=mRC7FIVnUDTyfHppaaej2culAmAoLt6gJErFB~HYYMFJ~KIK62~9hg-rL7zgHNc-T9AMLLTHMC6Vei3x5o4jWiLqMkFmL-zSsdij2Hf8oC-qvmiNqlOdevY~HBLvNM5Nroyf2XN5NW6eo-Hz-l-lbv5AcFK69yPI4d-go9fNO0Xh4ran~x8uOJxFZGG32N~4SoPosp3CQ3NojufiA0YMp6ZTlQXaxSRAiEHYLshSEGFLP0iTlTsguwqJaTyX~tlsa0SzQ-j9nurWsfHxg~kOh4ulGG3Dsb~tMHLRfXPrt1QrKKMPAPFOvUxTSq-3td4QYCHOTt4hRWuE8SFyUrNjsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark May, identifying himself as an Austin resident in District 5, used public comment time on Feb. 19, 2025, to urge the Audit and Finance Committee to audit nonprofit partners that operate park programs and events.

May said the Parks and Recreation Department has outsourced many functions to nonprofits and that the city has waived or not billed more than $1 million in fees to the Trail of Lights from 2020 through 2023 while the Trail reported a $1.4 million profit in that period. He asked the committee to review what the city gives privately versus what the public receives.

May alleged specific contract violations by the Trail of Lights: charging more than the contract-allowed maximum general admission fee (he cited a $5 contract maximum and admissions charged at more than $10), charging parking rates above a stated $25 cap (he said a $31 charge occurred) and charging admission on nights that the contract allows only half to be ticketed. He also said the nonprofit paid $2.3 million in salaries in a year and increased financial assets substantially while parks received smaller festival grants and park-improvement dollars.

May requested an audit to determine whether the value the city concedes (fee waivers and other support) is matched by benefits to parks and the public. He said his figures were based on public records, nonprofit websites and IRS filings.

Committee members did not take formal action on the public comment; the committee then moved to agenda items.","A resident asked the Audit and Finance Committee to audit nonprofit partners of Parks and Recreation, alleging Trail of Lights and other partners received large fee waivers and may have violated contracts while paying high salaries and increasing net assets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665689,"City clerk presents framework to review and consolidate boards and commissions; commissioners and public urge more outreach",695,3251000,3946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05&start=3251&end=3946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05/thumbnail_3251000.jpg","/articles/6665689/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-clerk-presents-framework-to-review-and-consolidate-boards-and-commissions-commissioners-and-public-urge-more-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665689-291b28013fde4f0e6341994802a4086d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181988&Signature=gPmMqke4LzJtmlEIeerMmRTmISvB87TscsJrYLPSeUijb4I4XoRa4Do85OWHDS9Kj4yrCWi69iGT6FjqFKpu3M4CqKMdXDxYw6o1TpbqwYinVSRqLz-GIOQFELX0e2sPe0mNfevyGSXGRVbMFaVOCC8ziBJWEnhiFkExfeLrtlbaCQkPomu8VrTHUDjTHDual~i6mF1~4eGWb7ckmliEv-15iOQCG5sC4r49enBXpZHkYajZs7TR~zaMOT7PnuXmUzVmfJ7Mv1zXzRLTBbZ5Rjdabll0islj2Qh16KYYnmyHWwi-Z77Q2v4NKHTRchNFkDWeYqVt6qlz-sw1yfyEPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Myrna Rios, the city clerk, and Stephanie Hall of the City Clerk's Office briefed the Audit and Finance Committee on Feb. 19, 2025, on progress implementing a council directive to review boards, commissions and intergovernmental appointments.

Staff described directives to solicit feedback, develop a review process, draft an ordinance to codify appointment processes for intergovernmental bodies, create an archive of recommendations and assess translation needs. Hall said a new recommendations archive page had gone live that morning and that interpretation services are already provided on request.

Genesis Gavino, chief of staff to the city manager, described a two-week survey (Jan. 15–31) that yielded 48 responses. Staff summarized responses for each impacted body in an updated Appendix A: some proposed consolidations (for example, creating an \"Urban Mobility Commission\" by folding the Urban Transportation Commission, Pedestrian Advisory Council and Bicycle Advisory Council) drew negative feedback from some current members.

Public commenters and commission members urged caution. Alejandro de la Vega said the Bicycle Advisory Council is highly active and should not be merged with the Urban Transportation Commission; he recommended bylaw updates and clarified roles rather than elimination. Zenobia Joseph raised concerns about remote-speaker access, timely public-record responses, homelessness program costs and transit access north of U.S. 183, urging stronger community participation in decisions connected to HUD funding and consolidated plans.

Council members and staff discussed next steps. Staff proposed a proposed assessment framework modeled on the Texas Sunset Commission process—questions about public purpose, performance, public input, legal mandates, equity impacts and whether another body could assume functions. Staff recommended using that framework to evaluate the updated Appendix A items and the bodies listed as inactive.

Several council members said more engagement was needed before final action. Council member Alter said the effort should start with items where there is broad consensus and proceed on a calendar so communities and appointees know when reviews will occur. Staff said they would finalize the assessment framework, apply it to the Appendix A list and return with recommendations, aiming to report back by the end of summer 2025.

No formal action to consolidate or abolish any commission was taken at the meeting; staff were directed to apply the proposed framework to the updated Appendix A and to sunsetting candidates and report back.","Staff presented a proposed assessment framework and a revised Appendix A of boards recommended for consolidation or abolition. Public speakers and commissioners urged more time, targeted outreach and attention to bylaws and commission missions before structural changes proceed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665692,"Audit & Finance Committee outlines year-long finance work plan; ARPA cliff, revenue cap and tax-rate strategy expected topics",545,1158000,1703000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05&start=1158&end=1703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05/thumbnail_1158000.jpg","/articles/6665692/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-Finance-Committee-outlines-year-long-finance-work-plan-ARPA-cliff-revenue-cap-and-tax-rate-strategy-expected-topics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665692-73bb8ae99adbe2220764acd3ae61232f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181988&Signature=c3w1mq02i8-SPkgB~387eU~ezBEco9p0esq4A1tcRbxRjnIzOtW4jqXtkM7lxGRFha2Rc5zrtggXk5J5CBYFusw0Dt6yPXk7BmWFbSaHP6Yb~W1UDW~XRAkk2eb9LQ8xHsFYNEVx9t~1F3TZQXyQ5uA948ENpTZA0Ki-z1nyhD7tEOZQSZZuCREGnTXL-wdu5br82nfu64xiM7hVJ4jUbcUBuCCEefdfd3NnTE7HIgd~aOV~92TOr9XkBbHUl3VeFoP-m8ZvUWKEjc1Q2wtj~dcDt6JpAENelLJAwHdqY8jk3FBme~zRNAtjXKNzNOrD22XztV3SGZ23pdFLtwRN3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ed Van Nino, the city chief financial officer, presented a draft work plan for the Audit and Finance Committee on Feb. 19, 2025, proposing a schedule of finance and audit items tied to the city's budget calendar.

Van Nino said the plan would bring legislative updates on bills that could affect local revenues, analysis of the 3.5% revenue cap and possible tax-rate election timing, discussions of the ARPA funding \"cliff\" that staff expect around 2026, and updates on multibillion-dollar projects such as the convention center and airport expansion.

Van Nino outlined timing tied to existing deadlines: a financial forecast presentation to the full council on April 8, a prospectus discussion about a potential tax-rate election on April 16, delivery of the FY26 proposed budget on July 15 and subsequent council work sessions in July and August.

Several council members urged early work on the ARPA issue. The mayor urged a joint meeting with the Austin Public Health Committee to examine ARPA's role in homelessness funding. Council members asked staff to quantify whether one-time ARPA funds were used to replace general-fund spending and to estimate ongoing service costs tied to ARPA-backed capital projects.

Van Nino said staff would return with refined analyses and that committee meetings would typically include about four items per meeting. He and other staff also proposed future briefings on facilities managed by the Public Facilities Corporation, 2026 bond program development, capital delivery updates and the fiscal year close.

Committee members offered several planning requests: earlier TRE (tax rate election) discussion, an in-depth ARPA analysis in April tied to the financial forecast, more detailed department-level budget insight to assess unmet needs lists, and follow-ups on housing bond projects and capital delivery timelines.

No formal committee vote was taken on the work plan; staff were directed to refine timing and return with more detailed analyses.","City CFO presented a draft Audit & Finance Committee work plan covering legislative finance updates, the ARPA \"cliff,\" 2026 bond planning and budget milestones; council members urged earlier work on TRE timing and deeper analysis of ARPA-funded ongoing expenses.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665696,"Audit finds Austin lacks unified succession-planning framework; HR to align approach",293,294000,587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05&start=294&end=587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346797-937fbe82a4ebca158ae8bd020ffb3d05/thumbnail_294000.jpg","/articles/6665696/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-finds-Austin-lacks-unified-succession-planning-framework-HR-to-align-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665696-8fd69869b0a3876ad7a278f8ffa634c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181988&Signature=VwoidZQpthLOELEAkBWgJHGnJOILNZSKNW069o3bQ20aRG3si2IH79OFXck~mzCL~ye0Uvz3XoUvTg30HRJhBHBIzxfJsGc66phibLxlRaq~yEB8KT9NCx8K8OBogMsHmIfQY8pS6iZ~y1fLeInsCz5lva77KyRp4JpuQKzceriiwmdHIm0HugvWHCgyAmzY4jjVrgZJcyip1xuwWcav6YSko4nRvD8xhJVWAu1kW~TO28gw-fBsluS~4bH~8VPiy8AcdWI7flMSlt5iO9YlGIwWsY3byP8ZGp4C4hPP64wfYRJSsx0d4qxptlSuZRorHbjJySWns5aVdjYnmLIdjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christina Kern, the auditor in charge, told the Audit and Finance Committee on Feb. 19, 2025, that the City of Austin lacks a common definition and written framework for succession planning and that departments vary widely in practices.

Kern said the audit identified five common, actionable elements of best-practice succession-planning models and found Austin comparable to six peer cities, though most peers also lacked well-defined programs. \"Although Austin has not been able to implement an integrated approach nor developed a written framework around succession planning, the city has taken some steps to assess city needs, capture knowledge, and train and develop employees,\" Kern said.

The audit noted that roughly 12% of the civilian workforce is currently eligible to retire and that the number eligible will roughly double over five years. Kern said some managers believe municipal civil service (MCS) rules prevent succession planning, but after review and consultation with the law department staff concluded succession activities are permitted within MCS rules.

Rebecca Kennedy of the Human Resources Department said the city is implementing a new centralized human capital management system, due in summer 2025, that includes succession-planning tools. \"This timeline essentially started with us trying to take a look and look at the software and what it can do to help us with succession planning,\" Kennedy said.

Committee members asked about reasons other cities also lag and about quantifying the loss of institutional knowledge. Kern responded that cities struggle to prioritize long-range planning amid urgent operational demands and that the audit was unable to quantify institutional knowledge loss; she said the consequence is operational gaps when transitions are unplanned.

The audit recommended that Human Resources and the City Manager's Office align the city's approach to succession planning with best-practice elements. Management agreed with the recommendations and committed to report back as the human capital system is implemented.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the audit itself; staff said they would return with implementation timelines and suggested the committee be updated when the HR system rollout is complete.","A city auditor reported the citywide audit of succession planning found no common definition or written framework, recommended centralized guidance and better data systems, and the Human Resources Department agreed to incorporate recommendations tied to a planned human capital management system rollout.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Audit & Finance Committee approves minutes and adjusts March calendar; nominations item postponed

Public commenter urges audit of Parks Department nonprofit partnerships, cites Trail of Lights fees and finances

City clerk presents framework to review and consolidate boards and commissions; commissioners and public urge more outreach

Audit & Finance Committee outlines year-long finance work plan; ARPA cliff, revenue cap and tax-rate strategy expected topics

Audit finds Austin lacks unified succession-planning framework; HR to align approach