TDH: 5/27/11

Only so much to go around

Lots of city action over the last few days –so much, if you blinked you could’ve missed it. After the jump, the Hustle has updates from yesterday’s City Council meeting, and results from Wednesday’s work session tackling nonprofit and social service funding.

We noted several items of interest in our City Council preview this week. The only major item Council punted on was Item 76, directing the City Manager to develop an ordinance, make recommendations, and take other actions relating to the City's historic preservation program. The long-suffering revisions to the program are now postponed until July 28. Mark your calendars!

… About the only thing taking longer is the city’s work reallocating funding for non-profits and service providers. At council‘s Public Health and Human Services committee meeting Wednesday, no action was taken on staff’s controversial recommendations, although they did set another work session for this Thursday morning to further discuss the topic. Additionally, they gave the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department a list of several areas to examine. Here are those topics, as sent to us by HHS communications manager Carole Barasch: “Funding scenario providing respondents 85% of what they requested; Clarify anti-lobbying options; History of sole source provider declarations; History of providers; Geographic spread of services in recommendation; Impact of no funding on partnerships; Staff identify gaps and possible funding sources from other departments; History of mental health and substance abuse services; History/analysis of Interlocal agreements; Funding options for gaps, reduce funding for agencies; Analysis of recommendation re: program increase. Why are we recommending increases? Other cuts that agencies are experiencing; Summarize loss of services from agencies not funded; Summarize what options council has regarding the RFP.”

Judging from the list, it looks like council may be backing away from their previous, formula-scored determinations for a more holistic look.

… In other news, the Hustle will be grillin’ and chillin’ this Memorial Day weekend, just like our pals at the city. We’ll see you Tuesday.

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