Austin Puts 1% Sales Tax to Public Vote
- City officials initiated a special election, empowering citizens to vote on implementing a new 1% local sales and use tax.
- This significant policy decision would allow Austin residents to determine whether to introduce a one percent sales and use tax within the city.
- One official clarified their vote was specifically to submit the sales tax proposition to the public, not an endorsement of the tax itself.
Full Transcript
CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS • MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting August 28, 1967 4:30 Ρ.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Akin presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Long, Nichols, Mayor Akin Absent: None At 4:30 P.M. the City Council reconvened in Special Session to pass the Ordinance calling an election to be held on the question of a Sales Tax Ordinance No. 670828-B. Mayor Akin introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, ON THE QUESTION OF THE ADOPTION OF A ONE PER CENT (1%) LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY; DESIGNATING THE DAY OF THE ELECTION AND THE POLLING PLACES; PROVIDING THAT ALL DULY QUALIFIED RESIDENT ELECTORS SHALL BE QUALIFIED TO VOTE; PRESCRIBING FORM OF BALLOT; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF ELECTION; CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO SAID ELECTION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The ordinance was read the first time and Councilman LaRue moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its second reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Janes, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Long, Nichols Noes: None The ordinance was read the second time and Councilman LaRue moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its third reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Jares, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Long, Nichols Noes: None _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 28, 1967 The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman LaRue moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman Janes, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Akin, Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Long, Nichols Noes: None The Mayor announced that the ordinance had been finally passed. Councilman Long made the following statement regarding her vote: "I am merely voting to submit this proposition to the people, but it does not indicate my desire to place a sales tax on the people of Austin." : • The Council adjourned. • ATTEST: Inace Monive Ass't. City Clerk APPROVED Mayor ✓