Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Planning Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20250813-005) to accept and appropriate $35,280 in grant funds from the Texas Historical Commission Certified Local Government Program for the development of a Citywide Archeology Program Framework. Funding: $35,280 is available from the Texas Historical Commission. A City funding match of $35,280 is required and will be met by accounting for the base salary and fringe benefits of existing City positions in the Operating Budget of Austin Planning.
De
Lead Department
Austin Planning.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $35,280 is available from the Texas Historical Commission Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant Program. The 1:1 City match will be met by accounting for the base salary and fringe benefits of existing City positions in the Operating Budget of Austin Planning. A fiscal note is attached.
For More Information:
Kim McKnight, Division Manager, Planning, 512-974-9478; Nicholas Johnson, Financial Manager, Planning, 512-974-9228.
Additional Backup Information:
This ordinance will amend the current City budget to accept and appropriate $35,280 in grant funds from the Texas Historical Commission Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant Program for the development of a Citywide Archeology Program Framework for a grant period of August 31, 2026, to September 30, 2028.
Certified Local Government (CLG) grants provide funding to participating city and county governments to develop and sustain effective local preservation programs. The grants provide one-time funding for projects with an allocation period of 26 months. The Texas Historical Commission administers this program in accordance with standards set by the National Park Service.
The City will, subject to any necessary Council approval and contract execution, partner with the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) at UT Austin or contract with a cultural resource management consulting firm to assess compliance with state and federal archeological regulations, evaluate archeology-related needs across City departments, recommend qualifications for a City Archeologist position, propose a program structure, identify funding and partnership opportunities, and outline a community engagement strategy. Concurrently, City staff will, subject to the execution and approval of any necessary agreements, work with TARL student interns to plan and launch a public awareness campaign about archeology for community members and policymakers. Both initiatives align with the Equity-Based Preservation Plan, adopted by Council in November 2024. Anticipated outcomes include greater public awareness of Austin’s archeological resources and a clear pathway for the City to meet its regulatory obligations.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant. When the grant funds expire, the department’s need for continuing funding will be evaluated and may be denied.