Austin’s elected officials will have to make a lot of big decisions over the next few months concerning the city. Aside from its search for a new city administrator, the Austin City Council will likely work with Vision 2020 organizers to get more initiatives started in our community.

That means there are more projects the city could get involved with and help fund using taxpayer money. It also means Austin residents need to speak out and let council members know how best they should spend the city’s money.

Thankfully, the city is making more of an effort to gather input from the community on its decisions. The council will get feedback on its rental ordinance discussions through the upcoming Vision 2020 rental housing forum. The council also halted its city administrator search for the next 90 days to speak with city staff and retool the administrator position.

It means the council is willing to take its time on these issues, which gives residents the perfect opportunity to make their opinions heard. There are 25,000 people in Austin who stand to benefit from many momentous decisions the council will make this year, and it’s up to the people to help our officials make the choices that will benefit everyone.

There’s a lot of money in play, too. The Hormel Foundation will spend millions over the next few years to help build Austin up, and it stands to reason the city will help fund — and in some cases take over — several projects once they’re finished. Austinites can have a say in the discussion by contacting council members and Mayor Tom Stiehm. We wholeheartedly suggest residents do so.