Misused public fundsTransparency

Austin city manager T.C. Broadnax and Council Member Ryan Alter pledged to repay the city after a Statesman review found each expensed dozens of solo meals

Confidence: Alleged · 3 sourcesCity of Austin · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

T.C. Broadnax, City Manager, City of Austin

Ryan Alter, Austin City Council Member, District 5

What happened

An Austin American-Statesman review of city discretionary spending (May 2024-May 2025) found City Manager T.C. Broadnax expensed about 150 solo lunches (about $3,300, mostly at Sweetgreen) and Council Member Ryan Alter expensed more than 70 solo meals (about $1,200). The City Manager's office also spent about $4,700 on retirement parties for four departing executives. Experts told the paper such charges likely violated city policy. After publication, Broadnax pledged to repay $3,780 and Alter said he would reimburse $1,200. Later Statesman reporting says Alter co-sponsored a mayor-led initiative to overhaul council expense and reimbursement policies.

By the numbers (2)

● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported

Figures

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According to an American-Statesman review of city spending, City Manager T.C. Broadnax expensed about 150 lunches totaling about $3,300 during his first year in office, mostly at Sweetgreen.$3K

T.C. BroadnaxAttribution added.

1 source

Austin American-StatesmanBroadnax expensed roughly 150 lunches totaling $3,300 during his first year in office

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Council Member Ryan Alter used his city credit card to pay for more than $1,200 worth of solo meals, according to Austin American-Statesman reporting; he agreed to pay the city back.$1K

Ryan AlterRemoved unsupported '70 times'.

1 source

Austin American-StatesmanCouncil Member Ryan Alter regularly expensed solo meals, doing so more than 70 times at a cost of $1,200

Sources (3)

Austin American-StatesmanBroadnax expensed roughly 150 lunches totaling $3,300 during his first year in office... mostly at the upscale salad chain Sweetgreen.

Austin American-StatesmanCouncil Member Ryan Alter regularly expensed solo meals, doing so more than 70 times at a cost of $1,200... Alter sent a statement saying that he plans to reimburse the city.

KVUE (ABC Austin)Analysis finds Austin city funds were spent on costly meals, flights, citing the Statesman review of discretionary spending.

Response

T.C. Broadnax

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

Ryan Alter

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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