PID petition pushed forward despite no PID policy

Even though Travis County still has no policy framework for governing the creation and maintenance of public improvement districts, or PIDs, the Commissioners Court this week pushed forward the first project seeking that special designation. The court voted 3-0 on Tuesday to advance the petition on behalf of the Wildhorse Ranch development in northeast Austin. Commissioners Gerald Daugherty and Margaret Gómez were both off the dais. The action directed staff to work with the developers and the city of Austin on preliminary arrangements for the project. Next Tuesday, the court will consider the draft policy prepared by staff that will lay out guidelines to establish how the county designates PIDs, a tool by which the county can issue bonds to cover the cost of public infrastructure that benefits private developments. The bonds, which are paid back through special assessments on individual properties, could give the county leverage to encourage safer construction practices as well as more affordable housing units.