Tag Archives: Travis County Commissioners Court

County to fully staff lawyers at bail hearings beginning Oct. 1

Justice advocates have been calling for Travis County to instate Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) – an integral part of the justice system that ensures everyone access to a lawyer at their initial bail hearing – for years. In the…

Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Aug 29, 2024

Austin and Travis County's first Food Plan nears its finish line

Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the country, and Austin’s numbers aren’t much better: 158,270 Travis County residents, or 16 percent, are food insecure. Not being able to pay for food is a symptom of larger failures…

Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Aug 26, 2024

Central Health sends 2025 fiscal year budget to Travis County for final approval

Central Health leadership gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $884 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget will go before Travis County commissioners for a final vote in September. As Travis County’s public hospital district, Central Health is…

Budget • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Aug 26, 2024

County commissioners approve tax rate election to raise $75M for child care

The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to place a tax rate increase on the November ballot that could generate $75 million per year to improve child care services throughout the area. If approved, the money would be used to…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 14, 2024

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Commissioners advance program to provide legal counsel at bail hearings

The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to move forward on implementing a program to provide legal representation to arrested individuals during magistration, when a judge determines probable cause for arrest and sets bail. Commissioners will first need to authorize…

Courts • By Amy Smith • Aug 14, 2024

Travis County wrestles with equity in last phase of its hybrid work pilot

At its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Travis County Commissioners Court heard an update on one of its most successful initiatives of the last few years: the countywide teleworking policy. After the pandemic forced workers home, Travis County won a…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Aug 12, 2024

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Stressing community trust, county commissioners consider candidates for Housing Authority board

At its meeting July 16, the Travis County Commissioners Court considered six applicants to fill two vacancies on the board of the Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC). Commissioners will make a final decision this coming Tuesday. Candidates focused on…

Housing • By Lina Fisher • Jul 19, 2024

Justice advocates rebuke county plan for $300 million juvenile jail expansion

At its June 27 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court considered spending $250 million to $300 million to expand the county’s juvenile detention complex in South Austin. A united front of more than 50 justice advocates voiced unanimous opposition to…

Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Jul 11, 2024

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Affordable child care investment for Travis County may be on November ballot

At its June 25 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court took a step toward expanding access to early childhood care and after-school services for low-income residents, setting Aug. 13 for a public hearing on a proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jun 27, 2024

Stakeholders urge county to hurry up on implementing legal defense at bail hearings

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, a coalition of people impacted by the justice system, community organizers and county staff gathered to urge commissioners to develop a permanent program allowing people who have just been arrested to…

Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Jun 20, 2024

Travis County partners with Texas Water Development Board on flood planning

Excessive rain isn’t typically something Austinites are concerned about in this drought-stricken era, but our region is unfortunately prone to catastrophic floods, too. Luckily, the first-ever statewide flood plan is set to be taken up by the Legislature – and…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jun 7, 2024

Travis County approves comprehensive study of emergency services

At its meeting Tuesday, June 4, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to earmark up to $400,000 toward providing better emergency medical services to areas of the county outside of Austin. In a presentation to commissioners, Travis County’s executive…

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