Weather Data Source: forecast for Austin

Government

Travis County, Texas

The city of Austin is governed by an 11-member city council (10 council members elected by geographic district plus a mayor elected at large). Under the manager-council form of municipal governance, the council is accompanied by a paid city manager. Nonpartisan council and mayoral elections are held, with a runoff if there is no majority winner. The council composition was altered from six council members plus a mayor chosen at large to the present “10+1” district system after voters accepted a referendum on November 6, 2012. The first election under the new system was held in November 2014. Before 1987, the federal government had compelled San Antonio and Dallas to leave their at-large systems; however, in a 1984 case, the court found no evidence of a discriminatory tendency in Austin and upheld the city’s at-large system. Between 1973 and 1994, Austin voters rejected single-member districts in five elections.

Austin’s municipal hall was previously located at 128 West 8th Street. A new city hall building was planned by Antoine Predock and Cotera Kolar Negrete & Reed Architects to reflect what The Dallas Morning News described as a “crazy-quilt liveliness, that embraces everything from country music to environmental demonstrations and high-tech swagger.” Solar panels are installed in the garage of the new municipal hall, which was constructed using recyclable materials. The municipal hall, which is located at 301 West Second Street, first opened its doors in November 2004. On January 6, 2015, Steve Adler was sworn in as mayor.

The Austin Police Department is in charge of law enforcement in the city, with the exception of state government buildings, which are patrolled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The University of Texas Police Department is based on campus.

The Austin Fire Department provides fire protection within the city boundaries, but the surrounding county is divided into twelve geographic divisions known as emergency services districts, each of which is served by a distinct regional fire department. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services provides emergency medical services to the entire county.

The city of Austin is governed by an 11-member city council (10 council members elected by geographic district plus a mayor elected at large). Under the manager-council form of municipal governance, the council is accompanied by a paid city manager. Nonpartisan council and mayoral elections are held, with a runoff if there is no majority winner. The council composition was altered from six council members plus a mayor chosen at large to the present “10+1” district system after voters accepted a referendum on November 6, 2012. The first election under the new system was held in November 2014. Before 1987, the federal government had compelled San Antonio and Dallas to leave their at-large systems; however, in a 1984 case, the court found no evidence of a discriminatory tendency in Austin and upheld the city’s at-large system. Between 1973 and 1994, Austin voters rejected single-member districts in five elections.

Austin’s municipal hall was previously located at 128 West 8th Street. A new city hall building was planned by Antoine Predock and Cotera Kolar Negrete & Reed Architects to reflect what The Dallas Morning News described as a “crazy-quilt liveliness, that embraces everything from country music to environmental demonstrations and high-tech swagger.” Solar panels are installed in the garage of the new municipal hall, which was constructed using recyclable materials. The municipal hall, which is located at 301 West Second Street, first opened its doors in November 2004. On January 6, 2015, Steve Adler was sworn in as mayor.

The Austin Police Department is in charge of law enforcement in the city, with the exception of state government buildings, which are patrolled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The University of Texas Police Department is based on campus.

The Austin Fire Department provides fire protection within the city boundaries, but the surrounding county is divided into twelve geographic divisions known as emergency services districts, each of which is served by a distinct regional fire department. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services provides emergency medical services to the entire county.

The city of Austin is governed by an 11-member city council (10 council members elected by geographic district plus a mayor elected at large). Under the manager-council form of municipal governance, the council is accompanied by a paid city manager. Nonpartisan council and mayoral elections are held, with a runoff if there is no majority winner. The council composition was altered from six council members plus a mayor chosen at large to the present “10+1” district system after voters accepted a referendum on November 6, 2012. The first election under the new system was held in November 2014. Before 1987, the federal government had compelled San Antonio and Dallas to leave their at-large systems; however, in a 1984 case, the court found no evidence of a discriminatory tendency in Austin and upheld the city’s at-large system. Between 1973 and 1994, Austin voters rejected single-member districts in five elections.

Austin’s municipal hall was previously located at 128 West 8th Street. A new city hall building was planned by Antoine Predock and Cotera Kolar Negrete & Reed Architects to reflect what The Dallas Morning News described as a “crazy-quilt liveliness, that embraces everything from country music to environmental demonstrations and high-tech swagger.” Solar panels are installed in the garage of the new municipal hall, which was constructed using recyclable materials. The municipal hall, which is located at 301 West Second Street, first opened its doors in November 2004. On January 6, 2015, Steve Adler was sworn in as mayor.

The Austin Police Department is in charge of law enforcement in the city, with the exception of state government buildings, which are patrolled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The University of Texas Police Department is based on campus.

The Austin Fire Department provides fire protection within the city boundaries, but the surrounding county is divided into twelve geographic divisions known as emergency services districts, each of which is served by a distinct regional fire department. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services provides emergency medical services to the entire county.

Contact Information

Austin City Hall
301 W. Second St. Second Floor
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-974-2250, 512-974-2337

General Information

Departments
Boards and Commissions
City Council
Council Committees
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Animal Service
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Library
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Fans cheering during the Texas Longhorns vs Texas A&M Aggies game

Texas Longhorns Defeat Texas A&M Aggies in Lone Star Showdown

Austin, Texas, November 29, 2025 In a thrilling Lone Star Showdown, the Texas Longhorns secured a significant 27-17 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies, handing them their first loss of the...

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Lawsuit Blocks $3 Billion Dementia Research Fund in Texas

Austin, Texas, November 27, 2025 A recent lawsuit in Austin has temporarily halted the establishment of a $3 billion dementia research fund. The fund, approved by voters, aimed to tackle dementia-related...

A courtroom during a sentencing for a child sexual abuse case

Georgetown Man Sentenced to Life for Child Sexual Abuse

Georgetown, Texas, November 26, 2025 A 29-year-old man from Georgetown, Texas, has been sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years for sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl. The abuser, who has...

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Bryan Mayor Challenges Austin Mayor with Friendly Wager

Bryan, Texas, November 26, 2025 In a display of community spirit and friendly rivalry, Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez has issued a fun challenge to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson ahead of the...

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Community Honors World War II Pilot with Full Military Honors

Elgin, Texas, November 26, 2025 In a poignant ceremony at the Elgin City Cemetery, the community of Elgin, Texas, paid tribute to 1st Lieutenant Woody T. Owen, a World War II...

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Nationwide Thanksgiving Travel Faces Disruptions Amid Weather Challenges

Austin, TX, November 26, 2025 Thanksgiving travel is experiencing significant disruptions this year as severe weather impacts journey plans across the United States. A major storm system is affecting multiple regions,...

Construction site of U.S. 183 MoPac in Austin, Texas

Austin’s U.S. 183/MoPac Construction Project Set for 2026 Completion

Austin, November 26, 2025 The U.S. 183/MoPac construction project in Austin aims to ease congestion and improve travel reliability, with significant advancements already noted. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the $612...

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