TipSheet: Travis County, 11.01.2016

The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website.

5. Consider and take appropriate action on the acceptance of donations of used books and other reading materials from various outside sources for the inmates at the Travis County Correctional Complex and Travis County Jail. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: From stories we’ve read about other people who are definitely not us, being locked up in jail can be a drag. The food’s not great, the beds leave a lot to be desired for, and that whole complete lack of liberty combine to create a perfect storm of boredom and ennui. Which is where this particular donation of used books comes into play. The stash comes from a Florida-based nonprofit. A memo from the Sheriff’s Office chaplain doesn’t go into detail what titles are included other than to say that various Bibles make up part of the collection.

7. Consider and take appropriate action on an appointment to the Austin Animal Advisory Commission. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Over the summer, Austin City Council rewrote the rules of the Animal Advisory Commission to give Travis County two direct appointees. Previously, the commission featured one county-approved representative who was officially selected by a council member. The new system will give the county a stronger voice on pertinent animal-related policies, including no-kill, coyote regulation, and maybe chupacabra containment. But probably not chupacabra containment.

9. Consider and take appropriate action on a resolution in support of collaborative planning and development of affordable housing as recommended by the joint subcommittees of the Austin Independent School District, City of Austin and Travis County. (Commissioner Shea)

Monitor’s Take: This resolution commits the county to working to find suitable public lands that could be used for the development of affordable housing projects. AISD and the city have already passed similar resolutions. Meanwhile, the county has already put its money where its mouth will likely be on Tuesday with the mixed-use project it’s overseeing at its North Campus on Airport Boulevard.