Travis County commissioners voted on Tuesday to conduct a six-figure study that could help sell the nearly $300 million Civil and Family Courts Complex proposal to voters this November. If approved, two new towers would go up in downtown Austin at Fourth and Guadalupe streets just across from Republic Square Park. One tower would house the […]
Caleb Pritchard
Posted inTravis County
Report: Housing authority going broke
Two agencies that help provide affordable housing for Travis County’s most vulnerable residents are in dire financial straits, according to a study conducted by the County Auditor’s Office. The report notes that the situation at the Housing Authority of Travis County as well as the Strategic Housing Finance Corporation is “rapidly decaying” and that they […]
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TipSheet: Travis County 6.9.15
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. Items of interest include: 11. Consider and take appropriate action on Travis County appointee to the City of Austin Animal Advisory […]
Posted inTravis County
After heavy storms, Travis County’s good fortune has small cost
Travis County may have fared better than its neighbors during last week’s deadly storms, but that silver lining could have its downside for many property owners. County Judge Sarah Eckhardt predicted on Tuesday that the relative lack of mayhem would likely sink the county’s chances to receive federal assistance to deal with the aftermath. “I […]
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TipSheet: Travis County 6.2.15
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. Items of interest include: 2. Consider and take appropriate action on continuation of Order of Disaster Declaration due to flooding. (Judge […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County takes no action on appraisals
Travis County Commissioners voted on Friday to do nothing. That was the decision in a rare special voting session called to address the city of Austin’s decision to challenge commercial property tax appraisals. The commissioners had before them three options: file their own challenge of the appraisals, direct county attorneys to participate in the city’s […]
Posted inWhispers
School bus cameras ordinance heads to Council
City Council’s Public Safety Committee is sending a new resolution up for full Council consideration that would let school districts hand out tickets to drivers caught on camera blowing past the stop signs that are on school buses. Council originally directed city staff to write the proposed ordinance in April. If passed, it would allow […]
Posted inTravis County, Uncategorized
Commissioners kick off overhaul of special events permitting
Travis County Commissioners Court took a big step Tuesday toward reforming the mass-gathering permitting process for large special events. The commissioners voted unanimously to open the issue to public comment for the required 30 days before making any final changes. Recent big events at Carson Creek Ranch have stirred up concerns from neighbors about noise, […]
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TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners 5.26.15
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. Items of interest include: 4. Accept the following donations in honor of Kristin McClain: a. Tac Air Rappel vest from Capewell […]
Posted inTravis County
Ronnie Earle Building survives another close vote
A controversy-plagued building project survived yet one more do-or-die vote at Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. The commissioners approved a contract modification to set the guaranteed maximum price to build the Ronnie Earle Building at $42,487,620. The building will serve as the headquarters for the District Attorney’s Office, whose staff is currently housed in different […]
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TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners 5.19.15
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. Items of interest include: 10. Receive briefing on legal and procedural implications of a possible City of Austin property tax appraisal […]
Posted inRoads, Transportation
Website hack shines light on Project Connect
Project Connect, the grand vision for high-capacity transit in Central Texas, has spent a good chunk of 2015 completely out of sight. However, a top Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority official assured the Austin Monitor on Thursday that it’s just temporarily lying fallow after its roads-and-rail bond referendum went off the tracks in November. Todd Hemingson, Capital Metro’s […]