The Austin City Council voted Nov. 6 to adopt a consent agenda that included a new legacy concessions policy for parks even as speakers raised sharp disagreements about oversight, transparency and the proper stewardship of parkland.

Bill Bunch, executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, urged the council to delay the policy and demanded transparency from nonprofits that operate concessions, noting financial questions about park‑affiliated organizations. “Their IRS filings show that they’re sitting on $24,000,000 accumulated funds,” Bunch said, arguing that parks revenue should be accountable to the city and the public.

Representatives of long‑running park concessions urged protections for family businesses that have operated for decades. Dorothy Lopez Barnett, whose family has operated Zilker Park boat concessions for about 57 years, asked council members to reconsider wording that delegates “sole authority” to park staff. “If in trying to create a one‑size‑fits‑all rule, sole authority could be a heavy hammer if used by the wrong person,” Barnett said, asking the council to build check‑and‑balance language into the policy.

Other speakers described the public benefit generated by nonprofit boat and rowing operators. Carol Baxter, managing director of the Austin Rowing Club, pointed to youth programs, school partnerships and stewardship of Lady Bird Lake as examples of civic value contributed by long‑term operators.

Council members acknowledged the controversy and the need to refine the policy’s language and oversight. The record shows dissent on the item: Councilmembers Jose Velasquez, Ryan Alter and Vanessa Fuentes registered “no” votes and Councilmember Mike Siegel was recorded as abstaining on item 43. Councilmembers who supported the item said the designation could protect small legacy operators that have invested in parks over decades.

Ending note: Council directed staff and the parks department to proceed with the adopted policy; several speakers and council members said they expect further review and audits of concession practices and more transparency on financial returns to the city.