[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6650152,"mediaKeyId","2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94","parentId",2510666,"title","Technology Commission unanimously forwards FY26 budget recommendations for GTOPS, device fund, public internet, training and AI upskilling","audioSeconds",4626,"startMs",1564000,"endMs",6190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94&start=1564&end=6190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94/thumbnail_1564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650152/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Technology-Commission-unanimously-forwards-FY26-budget-recommendations-for-GTOPS-device-fund-public-internet-training-and-AI-upskilling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650152-200eb88ddbe5e01a75fac10adcebd0ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770652749&Signature=GKCOdCQGhaY-fB~lHe1TIykg0Crgd1leohRkloRZy37R1uEy3VG1XL38WgwQf9oz3uBHSrUdTUiYYUtzzQwoJBo3Yf6fLF9UTveEm5Jdap7pjNDIcPVXRyF6g6AgArX8bU7Rwxi-AInhE7g05W9O1QB-2gehNkhmvM7xKHAYTcfP0GfVyXja0TVCGBl5KqWSG~4UdJmHEBDKP8bRJpe6McOaiXSsOrAki7oDjlNn2123-hvpHce6-m9wl8GgB3QG3vVTwjg40VJq-K0KloL9rF5jChzVUVPy01z2qL-M4YSwyFg2DVCjlzeBBLafeSJGd7g4rG7Qn2pAcZMnLVpewA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Austin Technology Commission voted unanimously at its March 5 meeting to forward five FY26 budget recommendations to City Council, aimed at sustaining the city’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPS) and expanding device access, public internet points, community training and city employee AI upskilling.

The commission passed each recommendation by voice vote with no recorded opposition and no abstentions. Commissioners present who participated in the votes included Chair Steven Apodaca, Commissioner Benjamin Cumbie, Commissioner Heritage (District 4), Vice Chair Carina Altarrete, Commissioner Anga (District 9) and Commissioner Rice.

Why it matters: The package combines near‑term budget priorities (maintaining GTOPS and funding AI upskilling for employees) with programmatic steps intended to address findings from a newly published Digital Equity Needs Assessment, including creating more affordable device options, more public access locations and expanded digital‑skills training for residents who face the greatest barriers to connectivity.

What the commission recommended and how it voted

- Continue GTOPS funding at $400,000 in the FY26 budget. The commission’s resolution asks City Council to maintain the program’s current funding level so the grant pathways (Core, Mini, Capacity) can continue serving local nonprofits and programs. Outcome: approved (unanimous; tally: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- Establish a city‑backed device distribution and repair fund (minimum recommendation $25,000) to support low‑cost device distribution, repair clinics and partnerships that reduce e‑waste; the commission asked staff to explore public‑private partnership options to multiply available dollars. Outcome: approved (unanimous; tally: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- Expand public Internet access. The commission recommended that City Council allocate funding to expand and enhance public Internet access citywide (public access points with extended hours, public computer labs with private telehealth spaces and charging stations, and resilient emergency response locations). The commission added language directing that new access points be aligned with community need as shown in the city’s digital‑divide mapping. Outcome: approved (unanimous; tally: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- Increase community digital skills funding and include device distribution as part of that investment. Commissioners discussed current contracts and device inventories and proposed additional funding to broaden reach; the commission adopted a recommendation to add resources (commission discussion recommended an illustrative combined allocation of $450,000 per year for expanded training and device distribution, described in the meeting as an increase of $150,000 above existing training dollars). Outcome: approved (unanimous; tally: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- Sustain and expand AI upskilling for City of Austin employees ($75,000 referenced). The commission recommended continued funding to support AI and data‑literacy training for staff to ensure proper use, explainability and safe deployment of AI tools. Outcome: approved (unanimous; tally: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

Commission and staff context

Commissioners said they relied on the Digital Equity Needs Assessment presented earlier in the meeting when drafting the device, access and training recommendations. City staff and the economic development office participated in the discussion and told commissioners they will take the recommendations into the formal budget process, coordinate with the budget office and provide more granular cost estimates during the city’s budget calendar.

Next steps

The commission’s resolutions are advisory; City Council and the city manager’s budget office will consider them as part of the FY26 budgeting process. Staff said they will return with cost estimates and a budget calendar so commissioners can track how and when the proposals are considered by Council.

Ending note

Commissioners said they intend to continue advocacy with council members and to monitor the budget calendar closely so the commission’s recommendations are considered during final FY26 appropriations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Technology Commission - Mar 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Austin Technology Commission voted unanimously at its March 5 meeting to forward five FY26 budget recommendations to City Council, aimed at sustaining the city’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPS) and expanding device access, public internet points, community training and city employee AI upskilling.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650139,"Travis County and City present 2023 Digital Equity Needs Assessment: cost, skills and mobile access top barriers",2614,1869000,4483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94&start=1869&end=4483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94/thumbnail_1869000.jpg","/articles/6650139/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Travis-County-and-City-present-2023-Digital-Equity-Needs-Assessment-cost-skills-and-mobile-access-top-barriers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650139-a43f3cb0d6a42c8f185402e999958056/orig.mp4?Expires=1770652749&Signature=HBgFXgn6a0w6mXhnJEWm0O8duHva-LAQs-Jimgh229azLbWmviyLC0a9IpJPPSCScFALjmsnJNfi5ANHnej0U4ChawXrxRgBt80VSD606V26PvntkUIXkn6AfE5H6Tq3ORa6Eu8utFZm~cmg2QC38TYqGU8PJbfgCbxw34qJMzGtTXWT1I8ywfE98AYLVNLDjZRlQ6s4GmMLGAFc~8BwlyU9J7Suv7fRotlMwIl0dHsrVuszmE85UjE~-GRff~J8JvKnDxhEvRZnct-DEGeRWQh4SFQg4~~gc2N~5zFdnYLfSh~nywvp1d9PV6cubkMN~HYqySK1~DKfLIHEtfa7Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Travis County and City of Austin staff presented the 2023 Digital Equity Needs Assessment to the Technology Commission on March 5, describing methods, major findings and a set of policy and program recommendations to improve digital access, devices and skills for historically marginalized communities.

The study, funded in part by Saint David's Foundation, the City of Austin and Travis County, used a mixed methodology with an in‑person survey, community advisory workshops, nonprofit working groups and focus groups (\"community circles\"). Staff said they prioritized outreach in neighborhoods with higher rates of households without an internet subscription and provided resource packets to participants during data collection.

Key findings

- Cost and affordability: Across focus groups and the survey, cost was the top barrier. Among respondents who did not have home internet, 69% cited price as the primary reason.

- Digital skills demand: Of approximately 1,400 survey respondents, 59% said they would be interested in basic technology skills training for themselves or someone in their household; only seven of nearly 1,400 respondents indicated they would be willing to pay for such training. Among respondents with annual individual earnings under $25,000, 88% said they were interested in training but only if it were free.

- Mobile‑first reality and reliability problems: The study found that nearly all respondents who had home internet also used mobile data outside the home; most respondents without home internet relied on mobile data for outside‑home access. Focus groups revealed many users depend on mobile devices under constrained data caps, with frequent service quality issues and geographic gaps in mobile coverage.

- Public access and transportation: Focus group participants raised transportation burdens to reach public Internet locations, limited hours at libraries and community sites, blocked charging outlets, and paywalls (caf\u0000s or retail locations requiring purchase for Wi‑Fi access).

- Structural barriers and security concerns: Respondents described provider requirements such as documentation and credit history as barriers, along with experiences of fraud, identity theft, and fear about safety and security online. Language limitations and accessibility challenges (disability, translation) also restricted use of available tools.

Recommendations presented

The report offered a broad set of recommendations that the presenters grouped into buckets: improving affordable reliable internet access; expanding access to quality, low‑cost devices and repair services; increasing availability of free digital skills training and diversified delivery methods; supporting mobile connectivity; making public online services and government websites more accessible (mobile‑first design); supporting tenant decision‑making about bundled ISP options; and enhancing consumer protections and data‑ownership measures.

Specific program suggestions included targeted supports for populations with high barriers (immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, older adults, justice‑impacted individuals, unhoused residents, low‑income households), more geographically dispersed public access points and charging stations, fix‑it clinics and repair programs, curricula aligned to community interest and schedules, and increased outreach and awareness about low‑cost plans.

Commissioners' response and next steps

Commissioners pressed staff on communications and outreach: staff said the report will be posted and publicized, a press release is planned with funders and the Digital Empowerment Community of Austin community of practice will be used to solicit further input. Staff also said the city will use the assessment to refresh the city's 2014 digital inclusion strategic plan and pursue recurring data collection roughly every three years, contingent on funding.

Staff noted immediate follow‑ups: inventory existing public access sites and hours, produce mapping aligned to the digital divide index, and return to commission with options and cost estimates so commissioners can advocate during the FY26 budget cycle.

Ending note

Presenters framed the assessment as a community‑driven, participatory effort and emphasized that findings should inform short‑term actions (public access, training pilots) and a medium‑term strategic plan refresh. The full report and data visualizations will be shared on the city's public sites.","Travis County and City staff presented the recently published 2023 Digital Equity Needs Assessment, which found cost and affordability are the leading barriers to home internet access, mobile access is critical, and 59% of survey respondents said they'd be interested in basic digital skills training if free.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650142,"Thinkery describes EdXchange STEAM program to Technology Commission; program supported by GTOPS",676,856000,1532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94&start=856&end=1532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94/thumbnail_856000.jpg","/articles/6650142/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Thinkery-describes-EdXchange-STEAM-program-to-Technology-Commission-program-supported-by-GTOPS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650142-def792a17887a3cf421e2beea8d1f041/orig.mp4?Expires=1770652749&Signature=L1RnpPxVtUbAX8S9inumzT0J4K08dj2g4lUf2HiYBuGRKIPgNYDdL6WcdnfvtTCTgk5X8Arhoomc4mxL2wZ-Dynn3myn1DGSZHVK7aych3c8sK1e5~O1hgiOkhLtqxY9YExi~dj9k53OfYBIpov0b46JukOmZ377hwlqfOmBdBcfC45ElTU4eHKOEq7TrbWvcqEIWqzDSJGu2V1ZqMas6oKyZaXZD5iwYeBrUYi3cravuqj7v4ztp~RnfOUJCPZIhSac6de1QZBCbmyKdMMvAP8kqGQJJhIh7aNwR0QpFwm4I5xBnQ9iW6OoFQXfsr9GzHRY2ityYnxCvHdFjpTIAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Austin Children’s Museum (the Thinkery) presented EdXchange, a Thinkery professional development program for educators, at the March 5 Technology Commission meeting and described how GTOPS funding has supported work with Title I schools and early‑learning educators across Central Texas.

Thinkery staff said EdXchange brings technology tools and coaching into classrooms so teachers gain confidence and can integrate STEAM technologies into regular lesson plans. Presenters described multi‑part workshops that include an initial hands‑on training followed by classroom visits across an eight‑week period and continued virtual follow ups.

Why it matters: EdXchange targets educators at Title I and other under‑resourced schools. The program aims to increase teachers’ comfort using technology (coding tools such as Scratch; micro:bit controllers; robotics like Ozobots) and to provide a modest stipend to graduates so they can purchase classroom equipment they trial in workshops.

Program details presented to the commission

- Reach and partners: Thinkery staff said, over the life of the program, EdXchange has worked with hundreds of educators and thousands of students; during the presentation presenters cited figures of 253 educators and a bit over 7,000 students served (program timeframe referenced by presenters was not clearly dated in the meeting notes). Thinkery said it partners with multiple Central Texas districts and community organizations.

- Model and supports: The program includes initial workshops, customized classroom visits where Thinkery staff bring devices and co‑teach, and follow up sessions. Thinkery staff said they emphasize accessible, low‑cost or free tools (Scratch, ScratchJr, micro:bits, Ozobots), encourage collaborative learning with teachers as curriculum experts, and provide continuing professional education (CPE) credit. The program also provides a $250 stipend after completion; some teachers pool stipends for larger purchases.

- Funding and timeline: Thinkery representatives thanked the commission for longstanding GTOPS awards that have supported EdXchange. Presenters said applications for the next cohort will open in April and invited commissioners to tour the Thinkery facility and the organization’s new shared space hosted with a central campus in Del Valle ISD.

Commissioners’ questions

Commissioners asked about grade ranges (presenters said cohorts currently skew toward pre‑K/elementary and that some programs serve early learners) and what technologies teachers found most useful (presenters cited block‑based coding, microcontrollers and simple robots that support literacy and STEM skills). Commissioners congratulated Thinkery on 10 years of the program and encouraged continued GTOPS applications.

Ending note

Thinkery staff asked commissioners to share the program opportunity with k‑5 educators and said interested teachers should watch for the April application window.","Representatives of Austin's Thinkery presented the EdXchange educator development program, which the museum runs with GTOPS support; staff said EdXchange serves Title I educators, offers stipends and CPE credit, and will open applications in April.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650147,"City staff brief Technology Commission on federal BEAD/NTIA grant pause and implications for Central Texas",637,107000,744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94&start=107&end=744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510666-1152432cf755d0126922b482f68d6c94/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/6650147/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-staff-brief-Technology-Commission-on-federal-BEADNTIA-grant-pause-and-implications-for-Central-Texas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650147-e27c57ae657c4b8645b15bd305cc8516/orig.mp4?Expires=1770652749&Signature=dCmmSTVHV8leZdEh6Os9CGTfrc69orDQfDvbcioX-wdDWeBzTiR72UNAtDTjKzunuItoRbGKFPGBYtsKaAAza0zeF6T-6QnKQtrRwSUdpbJD8RCLHJeWFB2P6K-dS1LUt-u11r5h1obwkL3uXHgo-ppm4iJK1okjysdlAqBIt6vn3zEdPh9tbt7yG27O0FAQvr-Ay7HEoVLLBjqbJMF-t0mQowKojCP4SnSxl96KvHlMzGGZI-0ilTYmAbWQUCU6FXLuWDE7bOUuYuKiVdmKnKBvKWoGYiEw3Ylkrc-fgQnKnfchlqJd2fFQKS5RVHzsMmn5eD8y1Q24NO5yoaBwpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and county staff told the Technology Commission on March 5 that a national pause on some federal grant disbursements has left Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and other digital‑equity grant programs in a temporary holding pattern, creating uncertainty for Central Texas applicants.

The briefing said U.S. agencies were asked by the White House on January 27 to pause federal grant disbursements while new administration priorities are reviewed. Staff briefers told commissioners that Commerce Department officials and NTIA leadership were conducting a program review and that the pause has affected timelines for NTIA digital equity competitive grants and state allocations under BEAD.

Why it matters: BEAD and related federal funding are intended to accelerate broadband infrastructure, mapping and adoption. Texas’s allocated share of BEAD and state broadband development funds is large relative to many states, and local projects that expected state or federal matches may see timing and scope changes if federal priorities shift.

Key points from the update

- Scale of federal and state allocations: The presenter summarized BEAD as a $42.45 billion federal program for broadband equity and deployment nationally and noted Texas received roughly $3.3 billion of that plus an additional $1.5 billion approved by Texas voters for state broadband expansion. Staff said affordability, not only infrastructure, remains a dominant barrier to connectivity in Austin and Travis County.

- Pause and program review: Staff said a White House memo from Jan. 27 instructed agencies to pause some disbursements pending a review of alignment with new administration priorities. Commerce Department leaders signaled a rigorous review of BEAD and a technology‑neutral approach that could change prior fiber‑preference assumptions and allow consideration of satellite and other technologies.

- NTIA digital equity competitive grants: Staff said NTIA recommended awards totaling more than $369 million across 41 organizations from a $1.25 billion competitive program. Austin‑area applicants included a Central Texas partnership that requested $12 million; the presenter said the NTIA had not provided a timeline for disbursement and Texas’s Broadband Development Office (BDO) issued its own notice pausing state grants tied to federal realignment.

- Local coordination and next steps: Staff from the economic development office and Travis County said they have inventoried federally funded programs across city partners to identify possible impacts and are monitoring BDO and NTIA communications. The presenter said community partners such as the Central Texas coalition and DECA have not yet been notified of award decisions and the situation is ‘‘in a holding pattern.’’

Comments and questions from commissioners and staff

Commissioners asked whether other federal grant programs were affected; staff said local jurisdictions on a national call reported broad uncertainty across federal grant programs. Anne Eaton, assistant director for economic development, said the city is monitoring locally funded federal grants and conducting outreach to HUD and other funded partners.

Next actions

Staff said they will monitor NTIA and state BDO guidance, participate in scheduled calls and share updates with commissioners. Commissioners urged outreach to congressional offices for information on the federal timeline and said they will track the issue as it affects GTOPS and other City‑sponsored programs.

Ending note

Staff cautioned that program guidance could change quickly depending on federal decisions and asked the commission to treat the briefing as a status update rather than a definitive timetable for awards or disbursements.","City and county staff told the Technology Commission federal-level reviews have paused some broadband and digital equity grant disbursements, leaving Central Texas applicants, including a regional coalition and Austin projects, in a holding pattern.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Technology Commission unanimously forwards FY26 budget recommendations for GTOPS, device fund, public internet, training and AI upskilling

Travis County and City present 2023 Digital Equity Needs Assessment: cost, skills and mobile access top barriers

Thinkery describes EdXchange STEAM program to Technology Commission; program supported by GTOPS

City staff brief Technology Commission on federal BEAD/NTIA grant pause and implications for Central Texas