The upcoming general election on November 3 will see candidates vying for various federal, state, and local offices, including the Austin City Council District 8 seat. The current council member, Paige Ellis, is not on the ballot after failing to gather enough signatures for her third term campaign. Instead, the race will feature Selena Xie, former head of the Austin EMS Association, and Jeffery Bowen, a previous mayoral candidate.
District 8 covers a significant area of West and Southwest Austin, home to over 99,000 residents and numerous green spaces such as Zilker Park, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and the Violet Crown Trail. Both candidates have identified the district’s susceptibility to natural disasters, particularly wildfires and flooding, as a pressing concern.
During a recent candidate forum, Xie and Bowen discussed key issues facing their district, including affordability and the management of city services. With the city having recently approved a budget that raised taxes by 3.5%, both candidates were asked how they would address the property tax burden while maintaining essential services.
Xie, currently a commander with Austin-Travis County EMS, emphasized her insider perspective on potential savings. “I see areas where we can save money. There are many programs that we should consider cutting before increasing taxes on residents,” she stated, advocating for a thorough audit of the city’s budget every five years.
Bowen echoed the need for a careful examination of city expenditures, suggesting that before asking taxpayers for more, the city should scrutinize its current spending. “Nobody wants to delve into what needs to be evaluated, but we must assess what is working and what isn’t,” he remarked.
Both candidates were also asked about their stance on the proposed $295 million bond package for parks and libraries. Bowen expressed opposition, citing the city’s existing debt and the need for better management of parkland. “We have $700 million in deferred maintenance. I want to see a complete overhaul of how we handle park budgeting,” he explained.
Conversely, Xie supported the bond proposal, highlighting the urgent needs of the city’s parks and libraries. “Parks staff have indicated how critical this funding is. Many of our pools are in disrepair, and this funding could help fix at least four of them, along with various infrastructure projects in District 8,” she stated.
District 8 has struggled to meet its affordable housing targets, with the latest data showing only about 20% of the goal achieved. The median home price in the area stands at $680,000. Xie plans to collaborate with state and federal partners to address this issue, suggesting utilizing city-owned land and bond dollars to create more affordable housing options.
Bowen noted that while new apartments are being constructed, progress is slow due to environmental constraints and the high cost of land. “Building in our district is complicated by the need to preserve green spaces,” he remarked.
With significant resources allocated to address homelessness, both candidates acknowledged that more needs to be done. Bowen believes the city should assess its current programs to enhance effectiveness in helping those at risk of homelessness. “We need to focus on preventing individuals from becoming homeless in the first place,” he stressed.
Xie also pointed out the necessity for improved support systems for unhoused individuals, particularly in wildfire-prone areas. “This is a public safety issue that must be addressed immediately,” she asserted, noting that many homeless individuals do not contribute to public safety concerns, yet lack adequate resources for their struggles.
