TipSheet: Travis County, 4.19.16

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.

1. Consider and take appropriate action on an order concerning outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Our regular readers — savvy bunch that they are — probably noticed the fairly healthy amount of precipitation (or simply precip, as hip weather watchers call it) the region received in recent days. This bounty from the heavens means that, unless brand new Fire Marshal Tony Callaway decides to get weird, the Commissioners Court will likely not vote to enact a burn ban on Tuesday.

2. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the issuance of a Mass Gathering Permit for Levitation to be held April 29 – May 2, 2016, at 9507 Sherman Road, Austin, Texas 78742. (Judge Eckhardt & Commissioner Gomez)

Monitor’s Take: The Court granted this permit weeks ago, but Judge Sarah Eckhardt keeps putting it back on the agenda just in case a wrinkle — such as staff or neighbor concerns — should appear. Just like Item 1, it’s a pretty safe bet that the Court won’t take action here. Party on.

6. Consider and take appropriate action on contribution agreement with WildHorse Ranch Public Improvement District petitioners. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: With a new policy in place to govern the process, work is beginning in earnest between county staff and the developer behind a large residential project in northeast Austin to hash out the details of the latter’s request for a public improvement district, or PID. If approved, this item would have the developer put up $25,000 in escrow while staff hires some consultants to analyze the costs and benefits of the proposed PID. Fun!

7. Accept and open bids relating to, and consider and take action on an order authorizing the issuance of an amount not to exceed $42,095,000 Travis County, Texas, Certificates of Obligation, Series 2016 (Limited Tax), and matters pertaining thereto. (Commissioner Gómez)

8. Accept and open bids relating to, and consider and take action on an order authorizing, the issuance of $8,875,000 Travis County, Texas, Permanent Improvement Bonds, Series 2016 (Limited Tax), and matters pertaining thereto. (Commissioner Gómez)

9. Accept and open bids relating to, and consider and take action on an order authorizing, the issuance of $14,030,000 Travis County, Texas, State Highway System Bonds, Series 2016 (Limited Tax), and matters pertaining thereto. (Commissioner Gómez)

10. Accept and open bids relating to, and consider and take action on an order authorizing, the issuance of $25,110,000 Travis County, Texas, Unlimited Tax Road Bonds, Series 2016, and matters pertaining thereto. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: Bonds. Lots of bonds. The specific projects have already been approved and include roads, parks, and drainage projects, among other similar business. A good chunk of these series of bonds nearly finishes out the $132,840,000 voters approved in 2011. The remaining $1,115,000 is expected to be issued by 2018.

18. Receive the Travis County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Just in time for beach season, some fresh beach reading. This 260-plus page report from the County Auditor’s Office offers a comprehensive review of the county’s financial standing in the previous fiscal year. You’ll find no spoilers in this space, but take our word for it when we say it’s a page-turner to the very end.