City budget priority recommendations (July 2015 update)

From 2007-2010, around 200 people participated in a neighborhood planning process, facilitated by city staff and supported by professionals from nonprofits and other local governments. Following review by city departments and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council, a strategic vision, goals, and objectives were formally approved for our neighborhood planning areas.

Every three years, the neighborhood team conducts a broad-based process to identify the items from the plan that are our highest priority for inclusion in the city’s operating and capital budgets. Here are the priorities identified in September 2013, with updates:

Capital budget, Georgian Acres planning area

1. traffic calming – Rec #79, traffic calming. Three streets ranked in top 30 for funding, four other applications in process.
2. community center
3. park land – Rec #45, new park. Land acquired, Georgian Acres NA committed as Adopt-a-Park sponsor, and maintenance and development planning agreed with Parks and Rec
4. pedestrian routes – Rec #70.E, sidewalks on Powell. E Powell complete, W Powell construction August 2015
5. N Lamar transportation. $15 million from 2012 bonds (funding to be shared with Burnet)

Capital budget, North Lamar planning area

1. traffic calming – Rec #79, traffic calming. One street funded, three streets ranked in top 30 for funding, three other applications in process.
2. N Lamar transportation – Rec #70.B, sidewalks. Waiting TxDOT approval for city construction of $1.5 million in accessible sidewalks.
3. N Lamar transportation. $15 million from 2012 bonds (funding to be shared with Burnet)
4. pedestrian routes
5. community center

Operating budget, Georgian Acres planning area

1. family support services
2. green infrastructure
3. code enforcement. Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) pilot
4. health. Plan4Health pilot of SmartTrips and healthy food production. Community health assessment.
5. housing affordability – Rec #21, coordinate with Neighborhood Housing and Community Development to determine polices and best practices

Operating budget, North Lamar planning area

1. transportation safety – Rec #99, parking on North Creek and Oriole
2. code enforcement – Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) pilot
3. health – Plan4Health pilot of SmartTrips and healthy food production. Community health assessment.
4. green infrastructure
5. leadership development – Rec #1, encourage participation in area neighborhood associations