Austin Energy is proposing an increase in the rates customers pay for electricity; the proposal must be approved by City Council.  There has been much discussion, debate and opposition in response to the AE proposal, some of which revolves around Out-of-City Customers (OCC).  Most of the NASWC community residents are AE customers, with many of those being outside the City of Austin.

A percentage of the AE revenue - General Fund Transfer - is paid to the City of Austin; and the revenue paid to AE by out-of-city customers is included in this payment to the city, without these residents receiving the full range of city services or being able to vote in city elections.

On February 2, AE posted the Electric Rate Proposal Modifications.  Their website has a rate calculator for customers to compare the current rates with proposed rates.  Part of the new proposal includes a reduced rate for the GFT for outside City of Austin residential customers.

Next Hearings is scheduled at City Council on Thursday, March 1.

More information and background may be found in the Austin American Statesman:
1)  January 26, 2012 Editorial Board article and
2)  January 28, 2012 article by reporter Marty Toohey
3)  February 6, 2012 article by reporter Marty Toohey

Information about opposition may be found at the Austin Energy Rate Protest website.

Free Household Document Shredding

Saturday, May 19, 2012

8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Austin High School parking lot

With the increased awareness of identity theft, it is more important than ever to carefully dispose of personal records such as credit cards statements and check account records.  ARMA, the Financial Fitness of Greater Austin and Austin Resource Recovery Department are sponsoring a free "Shred Day".  Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 19, 8:00 am to 1:30 p.m. at the Austin High School Parking lot.

Households can bring up to five (5) boxes of paper records for shredding.  Box size should not be larger than 24" X 24".  Mobile shredding trucks will be on site to shred all materials.  Please make sure your records are paper only (no hard plastics, no plastic bags, electronic media or three-ring binders) and are not wet or moldy.  In lieu of a fee - monetary donations will be accepted for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Last year, the event shredded over 83,500 pounds of material and collected 302 pounds of food and over $7,100 for the Capital Area Food Bank.  All of the shredded material and cardboard boxes were recycled.

For more details regarding the free household shredding, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 974-9045.

Several home break-ins have been reported recently.  A reminder to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood and report to the Williamson County Sheriff's office:
Emergencies - 911
Non-Emergency phone (512) 943-1300

And to our Neighborhood Watch Chairman - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tips:

Lock your vehicles - including truck tool boxes.  It doesn't take long for someone to cruise through the neighborhood "flipping" door handles and grabbing whatever is inside, then moving on down the street.

Mailbox:

1. Don't leave outgoing checks in your mailbox
2. Bring in your mail as soon as possible
3. Watch for mis-addressed mail in your mailbox
4. Report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Office
5. If you experience any theft of mail, report to the Sheriff and to the Postmaster (our mail is delivered through the Post Office at Lake Creek & Hymeadow)

WILLIAMSON COUNTY BURN BAN IN EFFECT
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WATER RESTRICTIONS - STAGE 2

Automatic Irrigation Systems before 10:00 am
Hose-end sprinklers, soakers before 10:00 am or after 7:00 pm

Under Stage 2 restrictions -- Residents may only water outdoors once a week.
Odd Numbered Address - Saturday
Even-Numbered Address - Sunday
Commercial, Multi-Family Odd Address - Tuesday
Commercial, Multi-Family Even Address - Friday

Visit Austin Water for more information about water conservation and the city's Grow Green program.  To report water waste, call 3-1-1.  For more information on Stage 2 Restrictions and water conservation programs, visit WaterWiseAustin.org.

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TREES

The City's Park Department also has information about watering and caring for our trees during the drought.