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A new city audit revealed issues with Austin's frequent use of third-party contractors, including unclear justifications and reporting on work that recently cost nearly $300 million in less than three years.

The details: Contracting with consultants is common in Austin, with most city departments reliant on some level of third-party support. The practice grew increasingly expensive in the less than three-year period covered by the March audit, with annual costs surpassing $100 million in total last year.

The audit found:

• City departments typically don't evaluate whether they could complete work internally rather than contract it out.
• Many third-party deliverables aren't measurable.
• City staff were sometimes unable to answer "basic questions" about contracts.
• Most contract results were never evaluated after work was completed.
• Poorly performing contractors were sometimes rehired for further work.

With the weather already warming up, summer break seems just around the corner. Parents seeking camps for their children have several options in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is in alphabetical order and is not comprehensive.

idea Lab Kids
Type: STEM
Ages: 5-13
Dates: all summer
Cost: $445 per week

• 7817 LaCrosse Ave., Austin

• Dripping Springs Methodist, 28900 RR 12, Dripping Springs; Oak Hill UMC, 7815 Hwy. 290 W., Austin; Balance Dance Studios, 4544 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin

• 9900 S. I-35 service road, Ste. 950, Austin

Travis County is looking to provide guaranteed child care availability for low-income families and expand child care options for parents working during nontraditional hours.

The big picture: The $75 million Raising Travis County initiative—approved by voters in November 2024—is expected to support several programs aimed at increasing affordable child care for around 9,800 children, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The county has awarded nearly $29 million in annual funding to the Workforce Solutions Capital Area nonprofit, local school districts and other community organizations, according to county documents.

The update: Travis County is planning to pay child care providers to reserve a certain number of slots for children from low-income families, said Cathy McHorse, a consultant for the Raising Travis County initiative, at a Feb. 24 Travis County Commissioners Court meeting. The model, known as contracted slots, is anticipated to increase the supply of child care for infants and toddlers ages up to 3 years old, she said.

De Nada Cantina opened a second location to South Austin diners in late February.

The details: The Austin Tex-Mex staple serves tacos and margaritas in pink cups, offering happy hour specials and a late night menu.

The original De Nada Cantina opened off East Cesar Chavez Street in 2021, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

The backstory: The new De Nada restaurant was opened by 2 Dine 4 Hospitality Group at the former El Mercado restaurant.

El Mercado closed its South Austin location on Dec. 17 after operating in the area for 40 years. The Tex-Mex restaurant has another location off Burnet Road in North Austin.

• 1302 S. First St., Austin

Texas attracts dozens of company headquarters to the state annually, with at least 314 businesses moving their main office to Texas from other states between 2015-2024, data from the governor’s office shows.

Zooming in: At least 24 companies moved their headquarters to Texas in 2024, with more than half landing in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Two companies relocated from other countries, with data center developer Hive Digital Technologies bringing its home base from Canada to San Antonio and pharmaceutical company IntraBio Inc. moving its headquarters from the United Kingdom to Austin.

How we got here: State officials and experts said Texas’ economic incentives and light regulatory environment are key reasons why companies brought their operations to the state in recent years.

“Texas wants companies to move here, and [company leaders] know that,” Megan Mauro, interim president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, told Community Impact. “Our legislative policy is really impacted by the voices of employers here.”