Commission defers action on audit of Austin Energy district cooling system as utility pursues consultant review

The Resource Management Commission debated whether to request a city-auditor review of Austin Energy’s District Energy and Cooling (DEC) system but chose not to take action at this meeting after staff described an ongoing consultant assessment.

Lisa Martin, Austin Energy chief operating officer, told commissioners the utility has engaged the city’s financial advisor, PFM, to assess potential options for the system and to deliver a report by Oct. 1. Martin described the scope as examining financial and business information and identifying potential pathways for growth and other options that may surface during the analysis.

Vice Chair Robbins and other commissioners pushed for a city-auditor audit to provide a third-party review independent of the utility. Commissioner Robbins said the item has been under discussion since the prior summer and pressed for clarity on solvency timelines and whether an auditor’s review after the PFM assessment would add value.

Commissioner Silverstein, a cosponsor of an earlier resolution requesting an audit, said he was willing to withdraw that resolution because Austin Energy had committed to a formal third‑party review; other cosponsors concurred and the commission chose not to take action on the audit resolution at this meeting. Staff said PFM’s work product would likely be delivered to council in October and might be presented to oversight committees; commissioners asked staff to provide the report to the RMC so they could review it prior to council discussion if timing allows.

Because the commission did not forward a formal recommendation, there was no vote recorded on a city-auditor audit this meeting. Commissioners asked staff to continue engagement with Austin Energy and to seek timely distribution of PFM’s report to allow commission review.