The Austin Port Authority (Authority) is an enterprise fund of the City of Austin, Minnesota. The Authority was created by the City in July 1987 to carry out economic and industrial development and redevelopment within the City in accordance with such general policies as may from time to time be established by the Council and Mayor. The Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners which consists of six voting members and the President, who is appointed by the Commissioners. Board members are comprised of five citizens and two council members appointed to six-year terms. In the event that a council member serving on the Authority board does not seek re-election or is not re-elected at the end of his or her council term, a new council member is appointed to serve out the term on the Authority board.