December 13, 20241 yr Take out Austin's Energy and Water budget and it still sits above all Texas cities per capita spending. It still pales to Washington, DC, San Fran and NY. San Antonio is about midpack for the largest cities. Then there is the whole "value" proposition of what you get for your money., which is discussed ad nauseum on this thread. Austin CC has proven itself to be putrid on that front.
December 13, 20241 yr 15 minutes ago, Brisketexan said: Correct. And AE is most of that $2.4 billion, at $1.86 billion. San Antonio, on the other hand, does NOT include CPS's total budget in its city budget (it just includes the transfer made to the city by CPS). So, if you want to do an apples-to-apples comparison (both budgets without the expense side of the electric utility, you're closer to the comparison you cite. There are certainly numerous reasons why the Austin budget on a per capita basis is higher than SA's, but that doesn't account for all of it, by far. That is, the per capita budget delta isn't entirely on city government.....but a good chunk of it IS on them. It's not just that Austin hasn't done a great job at managing its budget though (that's a big part of it). Rather, a big takeaway here is that....drumroll....San Antonio is actually one of the best-run cities in the state, probably by far the best run of the large cities. Seriously, lots of folks should look at how SA does things and say "we should do more of that." Nobody's perfect, of course, but SA does things better than most. There's a ton of truth to this. San Antonio can be frustrating from a white collar job market standpoint, but the place is actually incredibly well-run. It sucks that a majority of our smart kids end up Dallas, Houston, or Austin when they become adults.
December 13, 20241 yr 44 minutes ago, Brisketexan said: Correct. And AE is most of that $2.4 billion, at $1.86 billion. San Antonio, on the other hand, does NOT include CPS's total budget in its city budget (it just includes the transfer made to the city by CPS). So, if you want to do an apples-to-apples comparison (both budgets without the expense side of the electric utility, you're closer to the comparison you cite. There are certainly numerous reasons why the Austin budget on a per capita basis is higher than SA's, but that doesn't account for all of it, by far. That is, the per capita budget delta isn't entirely on city government.....but a good chunk of it IS on them. It's not just that Austin hasn't done a great job at managing its budget though (that's a big part of it). Rather, a big takeaway here is that....drumroll....San Antonio is actually one of the best-run cities in the state, probably by far the best run of the large cities. Seriously, lots of folks should look at how SA does things and say "we should do more of that." Nobody's perfect, of course, but SA does things better than most. Total ATX budget was $5.9 Billion (subtracted $2.4 Billion to get to the $3.5 vs $3.4 number). Is there an additional expense I am not accounting for? And agree on SATX, first noticed with how they handle their homeless situation better than most. per google AI San Antonio has made significant progress in reducing homelessness, and is considered a leader in the field: Decreased homelessness Since 2011, homelessness in San Antonio and Bexar County has decreased by 11%, while many other large American cities have seen significant increases. Downtown homelessness Downtown homelessness has decreased by 77% since the opening of Haven for Hope in 2006. House America San Antonio was the first community in the U.S. to surpass its House America goal of rehousing 1,500 households. Homeless response system San Antonio has a sophisticated homeless response system that includes: Prevention Outreach Emergency shelter Transitional housing Permanent supportive housing Affordable housing Other supportive services San Antonio's success has been attributed to: A compassionate and collaborative community, Strong public-private partnerships, A well-established network of homeless service providers, An ethos of continuous improvement, and Strong data systems and wide participation. San Antonio is continuing to work to reduce homelessness: Increasing the number of encampment sweeps, Responding faster to complaints about encampments, and Spending more on shelters and housing yet Austin city leaders went to Seattle and Los Angeles to get guidance on the homeless situation. Austin Mayor visits Seattle, Los Angeles to learn what they “wished they had done” | KXAN Austin Edited December 13, 20241 yr by ChickenSandwich
December 13, 20241 yr Take out Austin's Energy and Water budget and it still sits above all Texas cities per capita spending. It still pales to Washington, DC, San Fran and NY. San Antonio is about midpack for the largest cities. Then there is the whole "value" proposition of what you get for your money., which is discussed ad nauseum on this thread. Austin CC has proven itself to be putrid on that front.I think its somewhat important to root this out because we’ll be hearing a lot of misinformation about COA government as the State seeks to disenfranchise a million Texans by removing our elected officials
December 13, 20241 yr 10 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said: I agree with all this. She deserved to keep her post and her loss is the most shocked I’ve been by a race since Zo Qadri’s first election. I’m sure I won’t like her politics beyond the local level but her service to the city was exemplary. At a minimum the consensus was that Kelly stayed engaged with her constituents and, God forbid, would actually respond to calls, emails or both. In another words, she did her job. Certainly better than the corpse / Paige Ellis that represents my district.
December 13, 20241 yr Author 10 minutes ago, Wally Pryor said: At a minimum the consensus was that Kelly stayed engaged with her constituents and, God forbid, would actually respond to calls, emails or both. In another words, she did her job. Certainly better than the corpse / Paige Ellis that represents my district. Yes, for that she should have stayed in. Plus, it made for an entertaining simulation. Now we just need to get Brisket elected next time.
December 13, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Newdoc said: Take out Austin's Energy and Water budget and it still sits above all Texas cities per capita spending. Does that account for the return AE&W kick back to the city? Honest question, I'm under the impression that we "bill" more than we budget, but I not only don't know if that's true but if it's a significant amount.
December 13, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, ChickenSandwich said: Austin City Council approved its $5.9 billion 2024-2025 budget — a $400 million increase from last year and the city’s largest budget yet. Well over half of the spending will go toward Austin’s essentials. The city’s largest departments — Austin Energy and Austin Water — make up 41% (or ~$2.4 billion) of the expenses. $3.5 Billion vs SATX $3.4 Billion 2023 population ATX 979,882 SATX 1.495 Million https://atxtoday.6amcity.com/city/austins-2024-2025-budget?_amp=true Also the SA budget for FY 25 is 3.9B. (https://www.sanantonio.gov/portals/0/files/budget/fy2025/Adopted-Budget.pdf) I have no doubt that the city of Austin wastes a fuckton of money on stupid shit, but pulling two numbers (one of which is incorrect) without a side by side comparison of like items is completely pointless.
December 13, 20241 yr 2 minutes ago, Blotto said: Also the SA budget for FY 25 is 3.9B. (https://www.sanantonio.gov/portals/0/files/budget/fy2025/Adopted-Budget.pdf) I have no doubt that the city of Austin wastes a fuckton of money on stupid shit, but pulling two numbers (one of which is incorrect) without a side by side comparison of like items is completely pointless. Correct. Should have been $5.5 for 2023
December 13, 20241 yr 48 minutes ago, Wally Pryor said: At a minimum the consensus was that Kelly stayed engaged with her constituents and, God forbid, would actually respond to calls, emails or both. In another words, she did her job. Certainly better than the corpse / Paige Ellis that represents my district. Yep. It's maybe job 1 of a council member -- be responsive to constituent issues. She was. Many others are not. 32 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said: Does that account for the return AE&W kick back to the city? Honest question, I'm under the impression that we "bill" more than we budget, but I not only don't know if that's true but if it's a significant amount. I took out just the expenditure side. SA includes the general fund transfer the GET from CPS, so to do apples-to-apples, both should include the GFT they receive. 22 minutes ago, Blotto said: Also the SA budget for FY 25 is 3.9B. (https://www.sanantonio.gov/portals/0/files/budget/fy2025/Adopted-Budget.pdf) I have no doubt that the city of Austin wastes a fuckton of money on stupid shit, but pulling two numbers (one of which is incorrect) without a side by side comparison of like items is completely pointless. And yep, it needs to be a comparison of the same year. Because in the past few years, inflation did a number on ALL budgets, so comparing a 2023 budget to a 2022 budget isn't really accurate.
December 13, 20241 yr 57 minutes ago, Wally Pryor said: At a minimum the consensus was that Kelly stayed engaged with her constituents and, God forbid, would actually respond to calls, emails or both. In other words, she did her job. Well put
December 13, 20241 yr We all know she did a "decent" job, at least with regard to being accountable to her constituency. The fact that fitlump could set a relatively high bar in the process tells us everything we need to know about the average city councilperson.
December 13, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, jimmyjazz said: We all know she did a "decent" job, at least with regard to being accountable to her constituency. The fact that fitlump could set a relatively high bar in the process tells us everything we need to know about the average city councilperson. And THAT is on-the-nose.
December 13, 20241 yr 5 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said: We all know she did a "decent" job, at least with regard to being accountable to her constituency. The fact that fitlump could set a relatively high bar in the process tells us everything we need to know about the average city councilperson. If you want a good council, double the salary. If you want a really good one, quadruple it. It’s a terrible job and most of the qualified, dynamic leaders in our city want nothing to do with it. We treat our council members like shit, subject them to endless interactions with the most selfish, myopic and annoying people in the city, and we don’t pay them enough to live comfortably. The most shocking thing about our city council is that it’s not much, much worse.
December 13, 20241 yr 12 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said: We all know she did a "decent" job, at least with regard to being accountable to her constituency. The fact that fitlump could set a relatively high bar in the process tells us everything we need to know about the average city councilperson. She was new to it all. Just excited to be there. If she had been re-elected, I have little doubt she would have figured out how to grift.
December 13, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, Bozo_Casanova said: We treat our council members like shit, subject them to endless interactions with the most selfish, myopic and annoying people in the city The last bit describes our city council members.
December 13, 20241 yr 13 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said: If you want a good council, double the salary. If you want a really good one, quadruple it. It's certainly a headwind to attracting the most driven and capable individuals. Not that $117K is terrible, but if you want serious, educated and dedicated public servants, then it's going to take more than that to pull them away from law firms, consultancies, etc. The irony is that making the job more attractive wouldn't dent the budget, and they'd quite possibly have a net positive effect in that regard.
December 13, 20241 yr 23 minutes ago, Deej said: The last bit describes our city council members. And is the Surly motto
December 13, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Deej said: The last bit describes our city council members. Spend an hour with many of our activist groups and partisan clubs or sit in the chambers and listen to the cross-talk during a contentious zoning case, and you’ll come away with the distinct impression that this council is better than we deserve. Not joking. Edited December 13, 20241 yr by Bozo_Casanova
December 24, 20241 yr She was just talked about on the news and as soon as they showed her picture I was like I’ve seen her boobs and butthole! My girlfriend was very confused until I kinda explained.
December 24, 20241 yr Did the Water Tank beer joint at 183 & McNeil ever rescind her ban from their premises?
December 24, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, Armybrat said: Did the Water Tank beer joint at 183 & McNeil ever rescind her ban from their premises? We nominate you to go scout the place, and report back an update.
December 24, 20241 yr 5 hours ago, Hook1997 said: She was just talked about on the news and as soon as they showed her picture I was like I’ve seen her boobs and butthole! My girlfriend was very confused until I kinda explained. How many Sharpies?
December 24, 20241 yr She was just talked about on the news and as soon as they showed her picture I was like I’ve seen her boobs and butthole! My girlfriend was very confused until I kinda explained. I don’t remember her posting butthole pics at the old place. Seems to be more to the story here.
December 24, 20241 yr 11 minutes ago, Jkwellborn said: I don’t remember her posting butthole pics at the old place. Seems to be more to the story here It’s the Mandela effect maybe. Because I think I saw it lol
December 24, 20241 yr 14 hours ago, Hook1997 said: She was just talked about on the news and as soon as they showed her picture I was like I’ve seen her boobs and butthole! My girlfriend was very confused until I kinda explained. Sounds suspiciously like what a Romeo Rose sock would say.
December 24, 20241 yr Maybe it’s more of a metaphorical butthole That’s a pretty good band name Edited December 24, 20241 yr by NAVY
December 24, 20241 yr 16 hours ago, Hook1997 said: She was just talked about on the news and as soon as they showed her picture I was like I’ve seen her boobs and butthole!
December 24, 20241 yr Cooter? Yes. Butthole? No.I think i missed that too. Sounds like yall had cam subscriptions.
December 24, 20241 yr 8 minutes ago, Underdog said: A myth much like Nicole showing her boobs one night. This one was real. Saved Sbbruin’s life.
December 24, 20241 yr 12 minutes ago, Underdog said: A myth much like Nicole showing her boobs one night. The version I heard it was only one boob, and that she will kill you if you say otherwise.
December 25, 20241 yr The wasn't a brown eye pic. 8 Days to Never Running for Office just happened to coincide with the butthole sharpie meme chronologically.
December 25, 20241 yr The wasn't a brown eye pic. 8 Days to Never Running for Office just happened to coincide with the butthole sharpie meme chronologically.I love everything about this post.
December 25, 20241 yr On 12/13/2024 at 2:27 PM, Brisketexan said: And THAT is on-the-nose. Or the forehead.
December 27, 2024Dec 27 On 12/13/2024 at 2:54 PM, jimmyjazz said: Not that $117K is terrible, but if you want serious, educated and dedicated public servants, then it's going to take more than that to pull them away from law firms, consultancies, Why the hell would anyone want lawyers or consultants running shit? That’s kind of why we’re in the mess we are.
December 28, 2024Dec 28 I'm pretty sure "butthole" is the collective noun for Austin City Council members.
December 28, 2024Dec 28 On 12/26/2024 at 7:27 PM, Fudge Nuggets said: Why the hell would anyone want lawyers or consultants running shit? That’s kind of why we’re in the mess we are. are you suggesting relying on the wisdom of the man on the street? Edited December 28, 2024Dec 28 by Gatorubet
December 28, 2024Dec 28 1 hour ago, Gatorubet said: are you suggesting relying on the wisdom of the man on the street? Clearly, we need more men on the street, i.e. businessmen, running things. You know, the guys who never listen to the lawyers but then blame them when things go to shit, most often in the exact manner the lawyers warned them about in the first place. Those guys have common sense and get things done.
December 28, 2024Dec 28 1 hour ago, Samson's Wig said: Clearly, we need more men on the street, i.e. businessmen, running things. You know, the guys who never listen to the lawyers but then blame them when things go to shit, most often in the exact manner the lawyers warned them about in the first place. Those guys have common sense and get things done. I was thinking more like public school teachers and other public servants but go ahead and stan for an industry reviled by a large majority of the population with a proven track record of corruption and incompetence if that makes you feel better.
December 28, 2024Dec 28 3 hours ago, Gatorubet said: are you suggesting relying on the wisdom of the man on the street? Not all men on the street are created equal.
December 29, 2024Dec 29 18 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said: I was thinking more like public school teachers and other public servants but go ahead and stan for an industry reviled by a large majority of the population with a proven track record of corruption and incompetence if that makes you feel better. Okay. The majority of the population only ever deals with divorce attorneys and PI lawyers. I can understand reviling those folks, given the circumstances in which one deals with them, but they make up a small percentage of attorneys. Half the founding fathers were lawyers, for fucks sake. What should scare everyone is how many doctors are making their way into elected office. That keeps me up at night. School teachers? lol
December 30, 2024Dec 30 Why the hell would anyone want lawyers or consultants running shit? That’s kind of why we’re in the mess we are.
January 16Jan 16 Alright, fitlump's been out of a job for a couple weeks now. Has she officially launched her next grift? Is she back to holding court at the Water Tank and The Mill? Serving as an escort to retired Lt Colonels at Balcones CC?I'm sure someone's spotted her in her trademark too tight red dress and Chucks sitting on a barstool somewhere as she talks way too loudly into her phone about how Greg and Ted and Don won't stop calling her asking for her advice.
January 18Jan 18 On 1/16/2025 at 1:09 PM, GhostOfTomJoad said: Alright, fitlump's been out of a job for a couple weeks now. Has she officially launched her next grift? Is she back to holding court at the Water Tank and The Mill? Serving as an escort to retired Lt Colonels at Balcones CC? I'm sure someone's spotted her in her trademark too tight red dress and Chucks sitting on a barstool somewhere as she talks way too loudly into her phone about how Greg and Ted and Don won't stop calling her asking for her advice. She landed a role as Director of Government Affairs at the Meadows mental health policy institute according to Quorum Report. From what I’m told she’s well connected and passionate about mental health policy given her own personal struggles. https://mmhpi.org/staff/mackenzie-kelly/ If I had to say a few things, she’s clearly learned, grown, and become better as a result of her own journey. She will most likely cut her teeth in this role, give up being elected all together and reap the benefits of being a non-profit lobbyist that she doesn’t have to sell her soul to leverage. I was also told by a close friend she had three interviews and beat out over sixty people for this role so it wasn’t handed to her. Saw her bopping around on Tuesday when the opening session was. She was well put together and approached by numerous people in the hallways. We created a monster who is well respected and has changed her ways… hopefully for the better. I was floored. Edited January 18Jan 18 by NopeEver
January 18Jan 18 1 hour ago, NopeEver said: I was also told by a close friend she had three interviews and beat out over sixty people for this role so it wasn’t handed to her. The other sixty didn't give the interviewer their used underwear.
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