Council has passed 2 resolutions supporting an annual increase of about 2-3% for social service contracts in order to ensure that service agencies can keep up with rising costs of doing business and maintain service capacity. Would you direct the City Manager to include this annual increase in the budget for contracts meeting their performance targets? (Y/N/Explain)

Yes. As a Council Member in 2014, I was a sponsor of one of the referenced resolutions and I would support its implementation as Mayor. A 2014 City study showed that Austin had the lowest investment in social services among comparative cities. In addition, the City’s social service contracts are subject to performance measures and it is unfair to expect the organizations to be able to absorb the rising cost of doing business. This is one important means by which the City can keep up with growing needs in the community.