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JSC outlines FY26 budget priorities: green infrastructure, tree inventory, wildfire prevention and workforce programs
Summary
Working groups reported draft FY26 budget recommendations covering conversion of impervious surfaces, land conservation in target watersheds, a citywide tree inventory using LiDAR, green infrastructure, green workforce programs, wildfire prevention, refrigerant leakage study follow-up, low-carbon concrete testing and water-efficiency rebates.
Members of the Joint Sustainability Committee discussed draft FY26 budget recommendations from working groups covering natural systems, consumption, sustainable buildings and water.
Natural-systems priorities included converting nonfunctional impervious cover on city-owned land to “functional green,” land acquisition and restoration in target watersheds, citywide green‑infrastructure planning, green workforce programs and wildfire prevention measures. Committee members also raised a citywide tree-canopy inventory as a potential capital expense.
Committee members said an arborist presentation had flagged a need for a full tree inventory and estimated a LiDAR-based survey could cost roughly $10 million if done comprehensively; members discussed approaches that could reduce time and cost compared with earlier multi-year efforts.
The consumption and sustainable-buildings working groups proposed reinstating the climate ambassador program, advancing a citywide sustainable‑purchasing plan, funding pilot tests of low‑carbon concrete materials, implementing portions of the city’s food plan focused on pro‑climate diets and expanding programs to support reusable or circular restaurant containers and electric landscaping equipment.
Sustainable-buildings members added proposals for an air‑sealing task‑force training program, a sustainable‑construction procurement coordinator position to review RFPs for low‑carbon materials, and potential funding for an Austin Civilian Conservation Corps program; committee members requested a presentation from that program next month.
Water-related recommendations included investment in leak detection and targeted rebates to encourage water‑conserving landscaping conversions.
Committee members asked working groups to circulate draft recommendation text to the full JSC at least one week before the next meeting so final recommendations can be considered for adoption.
