The Austin Bond Oversight Commission is making strides in preparing for the upcoming 2026 bond election, as discussed in their recent meeting on September 17, 2025. The commission is currently focused on the work of the Bond Election Advisory Task Force, which is actively engaging the community in the project selection process.

The task force has been divided into subgroups, each conducting open meetings to discuss various projects. These sessions are designed to gather public input, with the deadline for project submissions set for October 31. To date, over 100 additional projects have been submitted by the public, which the task force has yet to review. This influx of community suggestions highlights the public's interest in shaping local infrastructure and services.

As the task force moves forward, they will begin ranking the submitted projects based on criteria developed collaboratively. This ranking process aims to create a standardized evaluation rubric, allowing for a fair comparison of all projects, whether proposed by city staff or the public. The goal is to distill these projects into a single score, facilitating informed discussions within the working groups.

Additionally, the commission addressed ongoing projects from previous bond elections, primarily focusing on street improvements from the 2016 and 2018 elections. Members expressed interest in obtaining detailed information about the bond language and the specific propositions that were included in those elections.

The commission's efforts reflect a commitment to transparency and community involvement as they prepare for the 2026 bond election. By fostering public engagement and systematically evaluating project proposals, the Bond Oversight Commission aims to ensure that the upcoming election addresses the most pressing needs of the Austin community.