City of Austin, Minnesota

06/13/2026

🚒 Big role. Big impact.
The application deadline is approaching — make your move!

🔥Now Hiring: City of Austin Fire Chief 🔥
The City of Austin is seeking an experienced, forward thinking Fire Chief to lead our combination fire department serving 28,700 residents across Austin and two surrounding townships covering approximately 74 square miles.

We’re looking for a steady, practical, and accountable leader who communicates well, supports personnel, builds trust, and prepares the department for future service demands.

2025 Salary Range: $103,500.80 – $147,846.40 annually
(2026 salary range has not yet been finalized.)
Exempt Position

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 14, 2026

🎓 Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field
• 5 years of fire service experience with supervisory duties
• Current Firefighter I & II and Hazardous Materials certifications
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license
• Fire Instructor I and Company Officer I within 6 months of hire

📅 Testing & Interview Schedule
June 20 – June 27, 2026. Applicants must pass all required screenings, including physical ability/fitness, background review, physical exam, and psychological evaluation.

📄 Pick Up or Return Applications:
City Clerks Office / City Hall
500 4th Avenue NE

💻 Apply Online: https://www.ci.austin.mn.us/fire-chief

06/12/2026

City of Austin Meetings Scheduled for the Week of June 14, 2026:

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026

4:00 PM The Mayor and City Council will meet in City Hall Council Chambers for a
dangerous dog hearing.

5:30 PM The Mayor and City Council will meet in City Hall Council Chambers for a
regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting.

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL MEETING:

The Mayor and City Council will meet as the Committee-of-the-Whole in City Hall Council Chambers for a regularly scheduled bimonthly work session.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026

10:00 AM The Pillars of the City Board will meet in City Hall in the Bonnie Besse Rietz Conference Room, 500 4th Avenue NE, for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED FOR AN EMPLOYEE PICNIC AT THE ISSAC WALTON CABIN IN TODD PARK, FROM 11:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE. NO OFFICIAL CITY BUSINESS WILL BE DISCUSSED.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026

12:00 PM The Culture & Arts Commission will meet at City Hall in the Bonnie Besse Rietz Conference Room, 500 4th Avenue NE, for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026

CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY

06/09/2026

Grass clippings aren't the only items that shouldn't enter our stormwater system. Pet waste, leaves, dirt, trash, chemicals, and other pollutants are considered illicit discharges when they enter a storm drain. According to the City of Austin Code § 20.04, these discharges are prohibited because they can clog storm drains, increase the risk of flooding, and degrade water quality by introducing pollutants into local waterways.

We strive to keep our drains clean, and if you would like to contribute to keeping our community’s water clean, please consider joining our Adopt-a-Drain program! It's an easy way to make a significant difference.

Adopt-a-Drain: https://gis.ci.austin.mn.us/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=299954fb22c1417f948f8196c67b200c&page=Home

06/05/2026

During the City Council Meeting on June 1st, Mayor King presented City Administrator Craig Clark with a Key to the City in recognition of his dedicated service. The Mayor and Council Members commended Clark for his commitment throughout his tenure. As we say goodbye, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

06/05/2026

🚧 Traffic Alert: 14th Street NW Closure Begins June 12

Beginning Friday, June 12, 14th Street NW in Austin will be closed between I-90 and 18th Avenue NW. This closure is expected to remain in place through the fall while crews remove pavement and complete sanitary and storm sewer replacement work.

Motorists should plan extra travel time and use 4th Street NW as the primary detour route. Drivers traveling to or from I-90 should use the 4th Street NW ramps at Exit 178A.

Please note: the westbound ramps at 14th Street NW will be closed, while the eastbound ramps will remain open. During scheduled I-90 closures in June, ramps will temporarily remain open for detour traffic related to bridge work.

Thank you for your patience as this important infrastructure work is completed.

I-90 bridge replacements

06/05/2026

City of Austin Meetings Scheduled for the Week of June 8, 2026:

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026

4:30 PM The Library Board will meet at the Austin Public Library, 323 4th Avenue NE, for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

5:30 PM The Planning Commission will meet in City Hall Council Chambers for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026

12:30 PM The Port Authority will meet in City Hall Council Chambers for a scheduled meeting.

2:30 PM The Mayor and City Council will meet as the Committee-of-the-Whole at the Austin Public Library, 323 4th Avenue NE, in the Large Meeting Room for a special scheduled meeting to discuss/review the City Administrator recruitment process and discuss the Interim City Administrator position.

5:15 PM The Park and Rec Board will meet in the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st Street NE, for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

06/04/2026

🚧 Oakland Avenue Project Update🚧

Work continues to move forward on the Oakland Avenue improvement project. Here is the latest update by phase:

Phase 1: Oakland Avenue from 1st Street to 4th Street:
Concrete work is planned to begin the week of June 8

Phase 2: Oakland Avenue from 8th Street to 12th Street:
Underground utility construction is ongoing, including sanitary sewer and watermain work. This work will continue through next week. Storm sewer work is expected to begin the week of June 15 and continue through the end of June

Phase 3: Oakland Avenue from 4th Street to 8th Street:
Work is tentatively planned to begin the week of July 6

We appreciate the public’s patience as crews continue working to improve this important roadway corridor.

For questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

06/03/2026

4th Ave Fest is today!

Wednesday, June 3
4pm – 7pm.
Horace Austin Park (Between the library and the pool)

Enjoy FREE pool admission, food trucks, canoeing & kayaking, art making, health screenings and much more!

See you there!

06/03/2026

During the City Council meeting on Monday evening, the Council and Mayor recognized Matthew Hatten as a new full-time firefighter. Matthew joined the Austin Fire Department in January 2024 as a part-time firefighter. His wife, Sidney, had the honor of pinning him. Welcome to the Austin Fire Department, Matthew!