Leslie Pool Reflects on a Decade of Leadership in Austin

News Summary

As Leslie Pool approaches the end of her City Council term, she reflects on her decade of service focusing on housing reform and community initiatives. During her leadership, Pool has championed pivotal housing policies, contributed to local governance, and addressed pressing issues like public safety and environmental initiatives. Her proactive approach to housing has positioned Austin for future growth, and as she prepares to step down, candidates are already positioning themselves to follow her impactful legacy.

Austin Celebrates a Decade of Service with Leslie Pool’s Impactful Leadership

As the vibrant city of Austin looks back on the past decade, one name stands out for her unwavering commitment to housing reform and community initiatives—Leslie Pool. With her current term as a City Council member set to expire in 2024, Pool has taken this opportunity to reflect on her journey through the highs and lows and her contributions to the city amidst significant challenges.

From Potential Tax Assessor to City Council Advocate

Just two years ago, Leslie Pool contemplated steering her career in a new direction by running for the office of tax assessor-collector for Travis County. However, she ultimately decided not to pursue that path, choosing instead to dedicate her focus to important housing reforms as a member of the City Council. This was a pivotal decision, allowing her to shape policies that aim to strengthen Austin’s housing landscape as the city continues to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During her time on the council, Pool emerged as a key advocate for ensuring that housing accessibility remains a priority. With newly passed HOME policy packages in late 2023 and early 2024 aimed at increasing housing density, the city is starting to see positive changes to its land development approach. The approved initiatives were pivotal steps toward making housing more affordable and accessible during a time of rising rent prices post-pandemic.

Leading the Charge in Housing Reforms

In her role, which included serving as mayor pro tem in 2024, Pool spearheaded two crucial pro-density initiatives. These initiatives marked a significant shift, emphasizing a need for more housing amid Austin’s growing population. Understanding the urgency for more affordable living options, especially as rents have surged after the pandemic, Pool has championed key reforms that aim to make a lasting impact.

These HOME initiatives are particularly noteworthy as they provide additional opportunities for housing development. For instance, the first phase, passed with a 9-2 vote, allows for up to three units on many lots, while the second phase successfully reduced the necessary lot size for building a housing unit significantly, showcasing her commitment to tackling housing shortages.

Success Beyond Housing: A Broader Impact

While housing reform has been her primary focus, Leslie Pool has also contributed significantly beyond this area. She was instrumental in the passage of a new contract with the Austin Police Association, showcasing her desire for a collaborative approach to local governance. Additionally, the Water Forward Plan, which expanded infrastructure for water treatment in the city, stands as another critical achievement during her tenure.

As the chair of the oversight committee for Austin Energy, Pool has played a vital role in updating the Austin Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan, emphasizing essential environmental initiatives. Her participation in transforming the council’s governance structure back in 2015 also helped improve how the city addresses issues including homelessness and public safety.

Looking Towards the Future

Now, with her time in office winding down, Leslie Pool is excitedly anticipating upcoming decisions surrounding a bond proposal, which is heading to voters in 2026, with a proposed budget limit of **$600 million**. She underlines the necessity of listening closely to financial officers about the city’s bonding capacity, ensuring fiscal responsibility as new initiatives are considered.

As Pool prepares to transition away from her role, she expresses gratitude for the progress made during her time on the City Council. Plans for a reflective year ahead will help guide her decisions on potential future endeavors in public service or elected office.

A City Ready for Change

The race to replace Pool has already attracted candidates eager to continue the push for housing reforms and climate change initiatives. Many of these hopefuls share a belief that the Austin Police Department is facing challenges with timely 911 responses, prompting discussions about the effectiveness of strategies like increasing officer wages.

Austin is at a crossroads, fueled by the impactful efforts of leaders like Leslie Pool, who worked tirelessly to inspire positive change in the community over the last decade. As the city takes tentative steps toward a brighter, greener, and more inclusive future, the influence of her decade-long legacy will undoubtedly lay a strong foundation for the leaders that follow.