During the recent Austin City Council Budget Work Session on July 15, 2025, a significant focus was placed on addressing the city's challenges in filling hard-to-fill positions, particularly in trades and information technology (IT). Human Resources Director Susan Sims highlighted the need for a comprehensive salary survey to ensure that the city remains competitive in attracting and retaining talent.

Sims explained that the ongoing study aims to gather accurate data on various positions that are difficult to fill, including engineering roles and skilled trades such as electrical and HVAC technicians. The goal is to align the city's compensation plan with both internal and external market standards, ensuring that salaries are fair and competitive. This initiative is crucial as the city has been experiencing a loss of employees to the private sector due to salary discrepancies.

The council members expressed their support for this study, recognizing its importance in maintaining a skilled workforce that can effectively serve the community. The discussions underscored the city's commitment to addressing workforce challenges and enhancing service delivery to residents.

In addition to the salary survey, the meeting also touched on other budgetary matters, including updates on the hotel occupancy tax, although details on this topic were less emphasized. Overall, the session reflected the council's proactive approach to tackling workforce issues and ensuring that Austin remains a desirable place for both employees and residents.