Energy Bills Pay for Other City Departments

Austin Energy is using money paid by customers to fund community festivals, economic development, and many other things other than electricity.

"Don't do it with my dime," said Pflugerville resident Moses Maza, describing how he feels about having to pay for events he says he has never even heard of.

He is just one of more than 51,000 residents who live in places like Bee Cave, Sunset Valley and Westlake Hills but pay for some of those Austin events through their electric bill. Since 2002 the city owned utility has spent almost $5 million dollars in pet projects. This year more than $500,000 has already been approved for almost a dozen events and unspecified items.

"I'm under the assumption I'm paying for energy and that's all and that's far from the truth you need to come out and ask us," said Maza.

Austin Energy records show:

$150, 000 is being spent on grants for technology opportunities.
$90, 000 on the Clean Air Force
$67, 000 for Christmas lighting, that includes installing banners and drops for sponsored events

"Because we're a partner in the community [city owned utilities] look at that same kind of concept. They want to support community priorities that may not be directly related to energy prices such as festivals, events or economic development. That supports and encourages other elements of our community that aren't directly related to Austin energy," said Interim Austin Energy General Manager Robert Goode about those projects.

Goode says they are only a small percentage of a $1.3 billion budget but it is a piece of the pie paying customers like Maza says he would like to see shared in his community.

"All these surrounding areas, where's the benefit for them? Is there subgroups for these people? Are there side community projects for these people?," asks Maza.

Another $54,000 also goes to sickle cell anemia research and almost $15, 000 on events like Juneteenth and the MLK parade. Another $12,000 for unspecified community programs.

"If more people knew what was going on, I'm sure there'd be more people out there protesting events like that because they are paid with dimes that are coming out of our pocket," said Maza.

At a time when the utility is looking at a struggling financial forecast, and possibly raising rates by 2012 there are questions that are being raised, even by those who run Austin Energy.

"We'll be struggling with that as we go forward next year and during that study. Do those costs continue to be contained within Austin Energy? Or is some other utility or department within the city responsible for those or do they just continue to be paid or not. We'll continue to answer those questions as we go forward." said Goode.