City Terminated Council Candidate in 2025
Former city project manager Katie Kam is now running for the District 9 City Council seat.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Remote Work
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The city of Austin terminated Katie Kam, now a District 9 City Council candidate, during her probationary employment period in 2025. Records released by the city show the separation occurred after a pre-termination review notice in December of that year.
Why it matters
Kam alleges her termination from Capital Delivery Services was retaliatory after she reported a discrepancy between consultant contract rates and invoices to supervisors and the Austin Auditor's Office. City officials maintain the action followed standard procedures for employees within their initial six-month probationary period.
The city released 34 pages of internal performance documents related to Kam's 2025 termination during her six-month probationary period. Currently, five candidates are vying for the District 9 seat that covers areas including the University of Texas at Austin.
The players
Katie Kam
A former city project manager and current candidate for the Austin City Council District 9 seat.
Austin Auditor's Office
The city department that investigates municipal operations and received billing discrepancy reports from Kam.
City of Austin
The local government entity that employs staff under Municipal Civil Service rules.
The details
Under Municipal Civil Service Rule 4, departments must submit performance or behavioral documentation to the Human Resources Employee Relations division before dismissing probationary staff. The city's pre-termination notice for Kam cited actions deemed to exceed her role and excessive email volume. Kam contends her dismissal followed her attempts to flag billing discrepancies, while the city maintains the termination followed standard oversight protocols for new hires.
Timeline
2025: Katie Kam worked as a project manager with Capital Delivery Services.
December 2025: Kam received a pre-termination review notice from the city.
October 13, 2026: Details regarding the 2025 termination were published.
The Texas Context
The scrutiny of departmental billing and internal reporting structures aligns with the ongoing public discussion surrounding Proposition I. That proposal would force regular external audits to ensure greater oversight of city government operations.
Residents in District 9 will see Kam's past city employment history as a factor in the upcoming election. Voters will decide how much weight to place on her experience with city bureaucracy when they cast their ballots.
The takeaway
Voters should consider how a candidate's experience with internal city processes informs their platform. Watch for public discussions regarding city audit practices as the District 9 election approaches.
Further reading
You can find more on local government employment practices in our Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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