Austin voters rejected Proposition I, a proposed mandate for recurring independent assessments of city government operations, by a 10-point margin.

The details: Despite the failure of the Save Austin Now-backed measure, an existing multi-year comprehensive efficiency review authorized by City Council remains in progress. The program is taking place under a $5.23 million contract with Public Works LLC, and the firm has started its preliminary reviews of Austin's government:

• Year 1: General fund departments providing public-facing services, including public safety, public health, homeless strategy, housing and planning, parks, library, animal services, and arts and culture

• Year 2: Enterprise and support services departments, including aviation, transportation and public works, watershed protection, convention center, financial services, City Council and city management

• Year 3: Utility departments, including Austin Energy, Austin Water and Austin Resource Recovery

Initial public reporting from Public Works is anticipated during a January presentation to council members.

From memorial projects to animal rescues, Dripping Springs Community Foundation has supported more than 100 local groups over the past few decades.

The big picture: A group of community-minded residents founded DSCF in 1999 to provide funding for local needs, according to its website. The foundation operates two grant cycles per year, and awards grants to multiple projects each cycle.

"We're not trying to compete with other nonprofits who are serving clientele," President Chris Marcum said. "We are here for the long term ... to invest in the community over time."

Milestones the foundation has accomplished include:

• 26 years of service

• 122 local projects

• 52 non-profits supported

New apartments in Austin, a fire station in Buda and a Whole Foods renovation in Cedar Park are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. The Lenora ($8.3 million): This project involves the construction of 39 residential apartment units.

2. Buda Fire Station 4 ($7.8 million): A new fire station will be constructed in Buda, with construction set to wrap up in the spring.

3. Whole Foods Market Expansion ($7 million): The Whole Foods in Cedar Park will undergo a remodel, including a building addition, a revised layout and new equipment.

4. Pepper Lunch ($850,000): This project includes an interior remodel of an existing space into a Pepper Lunch Restaurant.

5. Ly’s Donuts ($200,000): A Ly’s Donuts location is coming to Bastrop, with construction set to wrap up in the spring.