SAVE AUSTIN NOW: 2,500+ Petitions Received (10%) w/ 37 Days to Go // Mayor Watson Proposes Internal Audit Ordinance // Ways to Sign Petition Today // Financial Support Needed
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Government Performance and Results Act
11 min read
The article focuses on performance audits and government accountability measures. This federal act established the framework for performance-based budgeting in the US, providing historical context for why cities like Austin pursue similar accountability mechanisms.
Good Thursday morning --
We have THREE important updates today:
CITY HALL ADMITS THERE’S A SPENDING ACCOUNTABILTY PROBLEM
In an undeniable sign that City Hall KNOWS they have a real problem with taxpayers, yesterday Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced he is proposing an ordinance to conduct a ‘citywide'' and ‘systemwide’ internal audit.
You can read his full announcement here.
Council Members Marc Duchen (who courageously opposed Prop Q and who could use your financial support today, which you can give here) and Ryan Alter quickly signaled support for this ordinance. It will require at least six votes to pass it, and it appears Council wants to consider it in early February.
While we have not seen the ordinance language yet, here is our initial response:
Mayor Watson‘s announcement that he will seek to pass an ordinance for a performance review of the entire city budget is welcome and encouraging sign.
We will see if there are six votes to pass it, and which council members oppose this sensible short-term option.
Our external performance audit charter amendment effort continues, as it amends the charter to require regular, external performance audits that will outlast this Mayor and council and both rebuild trust with taxpayers and protect taxpayers form future City Hall spending failures.
If this ordinance is passed quickly, it can aid making next year’s budget (’26-’27) more efficient with improved delivery of core services.
Our charter amendment, which can only be considered on the May 2026 ballot, may take a little longer than this ordinance, but it will be incredibly valuable for the future of Austin.
We see these things working in tandem, in a complementary fashion.
Here are two local TV stories on the announcement:
Here is the Austin American-Statesman story:
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson pushes citywide performance audit ordinance
Watson is calling for an ordinance to create an “institutionalized program” for performance reviews as the conservative Save Austin Now PAC forges ahead with a charter amendment petition.
By Chaya Tong
Austin American-Statesman
Staff Writer
Updated Dec 10, 2025 4:23 p.m.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson on Wednesday announced a concerted push for a sweeping, citywide performance audit, urging the City Council to swiftly pass an ordinance to create an “institutionalized program for an independent, collaborative citywide review” of municipal operations aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and transparency.
“As Austin Mayor, my
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