Protecting what makes Austin special while building a stronger future.
District 8 is one of the most beautiful places in Austin. From the Barton Creek Greenbelt and neighborhood parks to thriving communities where families have put down roots, our district represents the very best of what Austin has to offer. But today, residents are feeling the pressures of unmitigated and rapid growth, rising costs, increased wildfire risk, and unresponsive City Council leadership to these concerns.
Selena believes Austin can continue to grow while protecting the things that make our city special. She believes the government should be accountable to taxpayers, responsive to residents, and focused on delivering results that improve people's daily lives. As a member of the City Council, Selena will work to ensure that growth benefits existing residents, that essential city services remain strong, and that future generations inherit an Austin that is more affordable, sustainable, and connected than the one we have today.
01
Environment & Water Protection
District 8 is home to some of Austin's most treasured natural resources. The Barton Creek Greenbelt, our parks, and the Edwards Aquifer are more than recreational assets, they are critical pieces of infrastructure that protect our quality of life, support wildlife, reduce flooding, and help combat the effects of climate change.
As Austin continues to grow, Selena believes we must remain vigilant in protecting our environment and securing our water future. Rapid development, increasing demand on our water systems, and the emergence of resource-intensive industries like AI data centers require thoughtful planning and strong oversight. Austin's future prosperity depends on ensuring that economic growth never comes at the expense of our natural resources.
Selena will:
Enforce strong watershed protections for Barton Creek and the Edwards Aquifer.
Require green infrastructure and sustainable design practices in new developments.
Expand wildfire mitigation and climate resilience investments.
Support energy efficiency programs and renewable energy initiatives that lower costs and reduce environmental impacts.
Advocate for responsible water management policies that protect Austin's long-term water supply.
Advocate for more parkland acquisition and resources for our Parks department.
02
Affordable Housing and Quality of Life
Austin's affordability crisis is affecting families, seniors, teachers, first responders, and young professionals alike. Selena believes every resident deserves the opportunity to live in the community they help build and serve. The affordability crisis also means our retired older adults who built our community and find themselves no longer able to afford the rapid increase in utility bills and property taxes.
Selena will:
Closely monitor the implementation of the HOME initiative to ensure it delivers equitable and affordable outcomes.
Prioritize affordable family sized housing to help growing families afford Austin. This also increases enrollment in public schools.
Expand programs that help vulnerable residents access solar panels that reduce utility bills.
Increase homestead exemption for seniors and long term residents to reduce displacement.
Expand when our neighborhood pools open to earlier in the summer and close later in the fall.
03
Fiscal Responsibility & Government Accountability
Austin residents deserve a city government that spends taxpayer dollars responsibly and delivers measurable results. Selena believes that before asking taxpayers to contribute more, City Hall must demonstrate that it is managing existing resources effectively and efficiently.
Transparency, accountability, and disciplined budgeting are essential to restoring trust between residents and local government. Selena will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are directed toward core services and community priorities while reducing unnecessary administrative growth.
Selena will:
Conduct rolling performance audits of every city department at least once every five years.
Require regular evaluations of city programs to ensure they are meeting community needs.
Advocate for sunset provisions on Council budget amendments to improve transparency and reduce government bloat.
04
Public Safety & City Services
Every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood and confident that help will arrive when they need it. Selena believes public safety requires both strong emergency response systems and innovative approaches that meet today's challenges.
The current public safety model was designed for a different era. Selena supports modernizing emergency response systems so that residents receive the right response from the right professional at the right time. This means maintaining strong police, fire, and EMS services while investing in specialized crisis response programs that can better address mental health, homelessness, and drug related emergencies.
Selena will:
Maintain strong EMS, fire, and emergency response capabilities.
Protect response times and emergency service ratings.
Expand alternative response programs for non emergency 911 calls.
Clear out brush and other wildfire fuel to reduce wildfires from rapidly spreading into neighborhoods.
Create a homeless respite option so that when 911 is called on someone who is homeless, there are better options than the jail or the hospital. Respite care offers mental health services and case management that are necessary in getting housed.
