AUSTIN, Texas — Negotiating a new Major League Soccer stadium just got more expensive.

Austin leaders approved adding $100,000 to an existing contract with an outside law firm.

This just covers the cost of drafting the agreement bringing the total price tag to $300,000.

Not everyone on the City Council was in favor of the extra expense. Council Members Ora Houston, Leslie Pool and Alison Alter voted against the additional funds. All three have been opposed to the soccer stadium proposal for some time.

Short-term Rentals

City leaders are taking a closer look at the cost to enforce rules for short-term rentals.

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo says three cases have generated more than 11,000 pages in emails from her office inbox alone.

She says staff are likely overwhelmed by those bad actors.

Austin leaders increased enforcement rules for short-term rentals almost three years ago.

Tovo says the cost of enforcement should be covered by fines and the annual fees that short-term rental owners pay, but it could get picked up by law-abiding rental owners and regular taxpayers.

"If we don't address the situation and really make sure that those repeat offenders are adequately fined for the costs of the staff time that's been necessary, then those costs may have to eventually be passed along to good actors and we don't want that," Austin mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said.

Austin currently has 2,100 active short-term rentals, but Tovo says there appear to be thousands more operating without a permit. Several short-term rental owners are suing the city over the current rules, claiming they violate several Constitutional Rights.

Homeless Programs

Austinites experiencing chronic homelessness are about to get better services.

The city's new rapid re-housing program is part of a partnership with Integral Care to get as many people as possible in dry, warm, stable homes.

The shelter to housing program will serve individuals who have been experiencing homelessness for years, or sleep unsheltered, and utilize the city's homeless shelter for basic needs.

Program participants will receive wrap-around services, including housing stability case management, landlord outreach, supported employment and other medical services.

The City Council approved two million dollars for the program.