Austin firefighters and city officials formally agreed to a new labor contract Dec. 18, capping off months of negotiations.

The details: The new collective bargaining agreement between the city and Austin Firefighters Association, estimated to cost $63 million over four years, was unanimously approved by City Council and backed by 72% of AFA members. It'll result in a new scheduling format with reduced hours for city firefighters, pay raises, and adjustments to hiring and promotional processes.

The deal also ends a dispute over fire department operations and city finances that had prompted the AFA to launch a petition campaign for a possible May election. Fire department engines and stations will now remain in service unless the city reaches a point of financial crisis, at which point Austin and AFA representatives will convene to chart a path forward.

Quote of note: "We gave management the flexibility they need to really manage a crisis properly, and we get the promises that those won’t be executed or used unless we’re in dire need," AFA President Bob Nicks said.

A new plan for the future of Austin's core is coming together, and residents will be able to provide several rounds of input on their desires for the downtown area throughout 2026.

The details: Last summer, City Council called to update the more than decade-old Downtown Austin Plan to reflect current conditions and goals for the area. Since then, the planning effort expanded to include the West Campus area north of downtown and the South Central Waterfront district across Lady Bird Lake.

The city will continue to gathering input on what's now called the Central City District Plan before its planned adoption next December. Council member Zo Qadri, who represents the area, said the initiative represents a key opportunity to shape Austin's growth and codify local goals for the years ahead.

Austin officials and art enthusiasts celebrated the grand opening of the HOPE Outdoor Gallery’s new location on Dec. 17, bringing the city’s graffiti wall back to life.

The details: Many Austinites may remember the original wall near 24 Diner and the former Waterloo Records location, a fixture along Lamar Boulevard for years. After being removed six years ago, HOPE Outdoor Gallery has found a new home in Southeast Austin, near Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

The 18-acre site features a 6,000-square-foot open-air gallery and event space, a community art park, murals by local artists, a cafe, a rooftop bar, an art supply shop, and spaces for community programming and local vendors. HOPE is free, open to the public and serves as an all-ages experience.

Quote of note: "Something extraordinary about [this space] is people are able to participate in the art and not just observe," C.K. Chin, the organization's director of hospitality, said.

Central Texas counties could begin receiving up to $1.25 million each in state funding for flood warning sirens in the coming weeks and months, officials announced Dec. 16.

The overview: The funding comes less than six months after historic flooding hit parts of Central and West Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 137 residents and visitors. During special legislative sessions this summer, state lawmakers approved requirements that 30 counties included in a July disaster declaration install flood warning systems with the help of $50 million in state grants.

Zooming in: Each county is expected to receive up to $1.25 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Counties seeking more money will need their requests approved by the three-member board.

Counties are required to submit detailed project plans to the TWDB and can use the grants to install physical infrastructure such as sirens, rain gauges, flood gauges and solar panels to power the warning systems. The money can also be used for local flood education, outreach and training programs, TWDB staff said.