The finance committee approved emergency consideration and passed an ordinance allowing JTA to use $30 million of local option gas tax flexibility to pay down debt and reduce interest expense, intended to avoid layoffs and service cuts, after JTA CFO said the move would provide needed flexibility.

The commission canceled Heatherwood Utilities’ certificate, awarded the CPCN to Bent Creek, and approved Bent Creek’s consolidated rate filings to stabilize service for Heatherwood and West Haven customers while authorizing infrastructure work and notifying staff to require completed plans before construction.

A cross-sector coalition presented preliminary survey results indicating federal grant changes have created immediate funding losses for Central Texas nonprofits, reporting nearly $18 million in documented losses in the cleaned sample and widespread service, staffing, and capacity impacts; presenters emphasized the data are exploratory and likely underreported.

The Transportation Authority approved a six-month fare-free pilot on the Downtown Connector and voted to temporarily reduce frequency on Routes 12, 15, 17, 20 and 42 to provide predictable service during a driver shortage; staff will return next month with a prioritized plan to restore routes as staffing improves.