Austin committee sets budget working group to push funding recommendations for Ability Festival, accessible restroom and therapeutic recreation

Chair Kelly called the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities to order on Jan. 9 and asked members to finalize draft budget priorities to send to the City Council. "What we have is the recommendation for the funding for the Ability Festival, the recommendation for funding for the accessible restroom at the Elizabeth Navy's Am, and then the recommendation for funding, additional funding for the therapeutic recreation program," Chair Kelly said during the discussion.

The committee agreed to form a budget working group that will draft recommendations without specifying dollar amounts. Chair Kelly explained the group's role: it will request that the City Council allot funding for named programs rather than prepare line-item budgets. "We basically just draft up recommendations without a specific number and recommend that the City Council fund it," she said.

Chair Kelly confirmed the working group's membership as herself, Susana, and Commissioner Chang and said she will schedule a Zoom meeting within the next two weeks to begin drafting the recommendations. Committee members were told they may email additional suggestions to Nakeba to be considered by the working group.

Separately, an unidentified commissioner proposed coordinating budget priorities with the Commission on Aging, arguing that overlapping priorities are stronger when submitted jointly. Committee members agreed to pursue meetings between the two working groups and to report back at the next regular meeting.

Procedural note: Chair Kelly moved to approve the minutes from the Dec. 12, 2025 meeting; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote during the session. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda items.