Tag Archives: Travis County Commissioners Court
County unveils $1.19 billion preliminary budget
Travis County budget staff unveiled the preliminary draft of the county’s 2019-20 budget Tuesday. This year’s budget is particularly important since it’s the last one the Commissioners Court will approve before tough new restrictions on property tax revenue kick in…
Budget • By Jack Craver • Jul 24, 2019
Travis County approves long-range transportation plan
At long last, Travis County has a long-range transportation plan. The Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the Travis County Transportation Blueprint, which lays out a vision for infrastructure in unincorporated parts of Travis County over the next quarter-century.…
Transportation • By Jack Craver • Jul 18, 2019
Despite property tax limits, Travis County remains committed to public defender's office
The Travis County Commissioners Court took another step Tuesday toward creating the county’s first public defender’s office. The court voted 4-1 to provide additional information to a state agency that is considering providing a multimillion-dollar grant to the county to…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Jul 17, 2019
County approves new Steiner Ranch evacuation route over neighborhood opposition
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a new emergency route to help residents of Steiner Ranch escape the community in the event of wildfires. The 600-foot road, known as Route B, will connect Flat Top Ranch…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Jul 12, 2019
Eckhardt proposes land swap with city for Palm School
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is willing to give the city of Austin the historic Palm School building. But she wants a lot in return. In a July 3 letter addressed to Mayor Steve Adler and City Council, Eckhardt proposed…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Jul 10, 2019
County could save time and money by hiring drainage consultant
The Travis County Public Works Division has devised a way to save from $25,000 to $35,000 on construction projects that are not expected to have an impact on the existing flood plain elevations. Per the county’s regulations, projects must be…
Development • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 26, 2019
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Despite revenue caps, Travis County moves ahead with pay hikes
Travis County government spending has not increased much in recent years. Expenditures over the past two years, when the Commissioners Court voted to increase property tax revenue by 6 percent and 5 percent, have been unusually high. The court has…
Budget • By Jack Craver • Jun 24, 2019
Travis County changes course on electronic monitoring
The electronic monitoring business just got a little bit more competitive in Travis County. The Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to abandon its practice of allowing only a single company to provide tracking devices to those accused or convicted of…
Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Jun 19, 2019
Why does one company get all of Travis County's electronic monitoring business?
In recent years, Travis County has seen an increase in the number of people released from jail on bail on condition that they wear some type of monitoring device, whether it tracks their location or detects the presence of alcohol.…
Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Jun 10, 2019
County looks at increasing minimum wage
Generally, the city of Austin and Travis County view each other as partners, not competitors. However, when it comes to attracting and retaining talented employees, the two can’t help but compete. That’s why the Travis County Human Resources Department periodically…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Jun 6, 2019
Travis County commissioners endorse preserving Palm School
Supporters of preserving the Palm School won a partial victory Tuesday when the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously in favor of restrictions that will prevent the historic building from being demolished by a future landowner. However, the issue of…
Preservation • By Jack Craver • Jun 5, 2019
Travis County sees big increase in electronic monitoring
Travis County has seen its incarcerated population drop dramatically in recent years, due in large part to policy changes aimed at keeping low-level drug offenders out of jail. As of April 2019, the average daily jail population stood at 2,143,…
