Austin Mayor Kirk Watson says the city has issued a solicitation this week for an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive, citywide audit.
In a post shared on social media, Watson indicated the effort is part of a broader push to review city operations and identify potential efficiencies. The audit would be conducted by an independent third party, though specific details about the scope and cost have not yet been released.
The move comes as public scrutiny over city spending and operations has increased in recent months.
At the same time, a separate, citizen-led effort has been underway to push for a full independent audit of the city through the ballot process. The group Save Austin Now has been leading the charge, working to gather support for a petition that would allow voters to decide whether to require a more expansive audit.
Supporters of the petition argue a voter-approved audit would ensure greater transparency and independence, while also preventing potential influence from city leadership over the scope or findings.
It is unclear how the mayor’s proposed consultant-led audit could intersect with or impact the citizen-driven initiative, but the timing suggests growing momentum around calls for increased financial oversight at City Hall.
Watson did not outline a specific timeline for when the audit would begin or when results might be made public. More details are expected once the solicitation is officially issued
