The city of Austin has launched the Austin Bond Dashboard to help residents track progress on capital improvement projects. Developed by Capital Delivery Services, phase one of the dashboard rolled out on Oct. 1 to support transparency and accountability.

Learn more: The dashboard features information on projects funded by the city's 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 General Obligation Bonds, which total $2.45 billion with $1.72 billion spent. Users can search for projects and bond programs to find:

• Information and summaries about propositions and individual project details
• Charts depicting project funding and spending
• Status updates showing if a project is anticipated, in design, in construction, completed or cancelled

Stay Tuned: For phase two of the launch, Capital Delivery Services will link projects to their geographic location to enhance the Geographic Information System. The department is also welcoming feedback from Mayor Kirk Watson and the city council.

The background: Founded in 1990, OutYouth serves LGBTQ youth and allies in Central Texas by offering social services, community education and mental health counseling.

About the project: On Oct. 6, the nonprofit held a groundbreaking ceremony to rebuild its headquarters, known as the Blue Bungalow. A water leak in August 2024 caused severe damage to the property, rendering it uninhabitable. OutYouth launched the public phase of its $3.5 million Dream Campaign, called Coming Home, to rebuild the bungalow and expand it from 1,700-square-feet to 4,500-square-feet. The expansion will allow the organization to grow its programs, clients, and team of counselors and social workers. OutYouth has raised over $2.2 million and is seeking donors to help raise the remaining $1.3 million for construction and maintenance.

Get involved: Community members can donate online or contact OutYouth Development Manager Emily Heroux for corporate partnerships, major gifts or matching contributions.

Ahead of Texas' 2027 legislative session, the state comptroller's office has asked lawmakers to double funding for its $1 billion education savings account program.

The overview: The program gives participating families taxpayer dollars for private education and homeschooling, and officials said at least $2 billion are needed to maintain current participation in the program.

Meanwhile, some Texas families are raising concerns about their local school districts losing money as students leave public schools to participate in the program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What they're saying: "149 students have accepted vouchers that were otherwise enrolled in Pflugerville ISD, [resulting in] an estimated loss of $1.2 million in attendance funding," said Stacy Harrell, a PfISD parent. "That lost funding will add to budget cuts that are already affecting Pflugerville ISD families. Four elementary schools [are closing], with the possibility of more."