Anxiety is palpable this week at 700 Lavaca St., where Travis County officials and planners nervously wait as early voters cast their ballots to decide the fate of the $287 million Civil & Family Courts Complex bond. While the Travis County Taxpayers Union, with its late but not unexpected organized opposition to the bond, is […]
Caleb Pritchard
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 10.20.15
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. 6. Consider and take appropriate action on direction to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the City of Austin for the creation […]
Posted inTravis County
In Travis County’s courthouse bond campaign, a challenger emerges
With less than a month to go before Election Day, the first organized effort to oppose Travis County’s $287 million Civil & Family Courts Complex bond has finally materialized. The Travis County Taxpayers Union, backed by Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman, held a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday to urge voters to […]
Posted inWhispers
Travis County sues Volkswagen
Travis County is taking Volkswagen to court over the automaker’s admitted gaming of U.S. emissions tests. After discussing the issue with fellow members of the Commissioners Court during executive session on Tuesday, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt announced a resolution directing county attorneys to file civil action against Volkswagen Group of America and Audi of America […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Sobriety center plans advance through the county
Travis County Commissioners have taken another big step toward the creation of a sobriety center that would serve as an alternative to jail for the region’s most temerarious tipplers. During their regular voting session on Tuesday, the commissioners directed the Facilities Management Division to estimate the cost of converting the existing Medical Examiner’s building at […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 10.13.15
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. 4. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the possible use of existing Medical Examiner’s building for a Sobriety Center and an […]
Posted inPlanning
Palm School fate uncertain
The fate of a historic building at the southeastern gateway of downtown Austin is up in the air as Travis County continues a gradual reshuffling of its valuable real estate portfolio. The commissioners court will soon vote to start making early preparations to withdraw county workers from Palm School at East Cesar Chavez Street and […]
Posted inWhispers
Gloves stay on in festivals suit against Travis County
It appears that Travis County’s legal battle with a group that puts on an annual outdoor music festival will be more badminton than calcio fiorentino. A source familiar with the case tells the Austin Monitor that Euphoria Music and Camping Festival is no longer seeking separate hearings for an immediate temporary restraining order and injunction […]
Posted inWhispers
County approves novel handicapped-parking program
Travis County commissioners approved an $80,500 contract on Tuesday for a novel approach to handicapped-parking enforcement. For a startup fee of $8,500 and 12 monthly payments of $6,000, Access Empowerment, a nonprofit corporation, will train volunteers and equip them with a smartphone app that they can use to issue citations to drivers illegally parked in […]
Posted inBudget
County adopts new tax rate
The Travis County Commissioners Court formally adopted a brand new property tax rate on Tuesday. The unanimous vote marked the last major action in this year’s version of the annual budget dance. It was a relatively placid affair, given the sharp rhetoric about affordability that defined last year’s local elections. The new tax rate for […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 10.6.15
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. 11. Consider and take appropriate action on an order setting the Travis County Tax Rates for the year beginning January 1, […]
Posted inBudget
County approves budget, restores jail visitations
On the eve of Fiscal New Year’s Eve, Travis County commissioners voted to adopt a brand-new budget that will keep the lights on through 2016. Along the way, they managed to inject some last-minute drama into the proceedings by restoring in-person visitations at county jail facilities. For weeks, it appeared that, unlike City Council’s recent […]