TipSheet: Travis County, 11.6.18

To help you stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the Travis County Commissioners Court voting session agenda. The entire agenda can be found at the Travis County website.

1. Receive comments on petition to create the Turner’s Crossing Public Improvement District (PID) in Precinct Four. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: The Turner’s Crossing PID was initially proposed in 2016, but was scrapped after True Life Companies, the original developer, quit the project. Meritage Homes has now taken on the PID and a new petition is being presented to the Commissioners Court. Turner’s Crossing PID, roughly 13 miles south of downtown along SH-45, will comprise around 1,340 single-family detached homes, 465 multifamily units and 23 acres of office and/or commercial space. The Commissioners Court has previously shown enthusiasm for the PID’s affordability and overall value to the surrounding area and is likely to continue its support by approving the development.

7. Consider and take appropriate action on Travis County’s participation in the creation of a local government corporation to manage the Texas Conference of Urban Counties’ TechShare program. (Commissioners Daugherty & Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: At no cost to Travis County, a TechShare local government corporation (LGC) promises to save money and time by sharing technological solutions among various urban counties in Texas. TechShare has been operating since 2004 under the administration of the Texas Conference of Urban Counties. To participate in the new LGC, Travis County will need to appoint a representative from the Commissioners Court to serve on the board of directors. The county seems eager to participate in the LGC and take full advantage of the TechShare program.

14. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the Draft Travis County Transportation Blueprint for Phase II public engagement. (Commissioners Travillion & Shae)

Monitor’s Take: The Commissioners Court reviewed the draft Travis County Transportation Blueprint (TCTB) on Oct. 25 and is likely to approve it Tuesday morning. This will be a final review before TNR (Transportation and National Resources) takes the plan to the public for discussion later this month. If the public engagement process goes well, the plan will then become part of the CAMPO 2045 long-range plan for regional transportation. The transportation blueprint comprises a focused outline of multimodal transportation needs in the county including bicycle/pedestrian trails and public transit.

21. Authorize Purchasing Agent to issue request for proposal for Beautification Services Program. (Commissioner Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: Keep Austin Beautiful has worked with the county for 28 years to maintain the cleanliness of public spaces and bodies of water. The county may renew the KAB contract again, but wants to consider working with other organizations to see if another entity may be able to fulfill the Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Road and Lake Travis Clean-Up contracts more efficiently. The county will be sending out a request for proposal to study its options.

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