Stories by Jack Craver
Travis County asks voters to approve future hotel tax for expo center
Travis County isn’t giving up on getting a taste of the hotel tax. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court voted to put a measure on the November ballot that, if approved, would authorize the county to levy a 2 percent tax…
Elections • By Jack Craver • Aug 20, 2019
Travis County increases support for child care
Funding authorized Tuesday by the Travis County Commissioners Court will provide day care for 92 low-income children. The $285,000 funding was recommended by county staff to address a growing number of children on the waiting list for federal child care…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 16, 2019
Despite sparse data, county court moves forward on mental health jail diversion program
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Integral Care, the local mental health authority, aimed at getting criminal defendants with serious mental health problems out of jail and into treatment. The agreement will expand…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Aug 14, 2019
City, county look to private investors to help on homelessness
Travis County commissioners are cautiously optimistic about the county’s participation in a multi-jurisdictional program aimed at helping some of the county’s most destitute residents. The program, Pay for Success, is a collaboration between the county, the city and a number…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 12, 2019
Facing revenue caps, Travis County ponders how to raise employee pay
With lean years ahead due to state limits on property tax revenue, the Travis County Commissioners Court is grappling with how to effectively and responsibly boost pay for county employees. On Tuesday, the commissioners discussed what they would like to…
Budget • By Jack Craver • Aug 7, 2019
Travis County, city of Austin ramp up census efforts
Travis County and the city of Austin are mounting an aggressive effort to make sure the 2020 U.S. census count is as complete and accurate as possible. The county and city are collaborating by jointly funding a temporary position “to…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Aug 5, 2019
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Commissioners approve 'pause' on economic incentives
Looking ahead to years of belt-tightening due to property tax limits put in place by the state, Travis County leaders say the county may not be able to afford offering tax incentives to companies to create jobs locally. The Commissioners…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 2, 2019
Travis County commissioners give themselves pay raise
The Travis County Commissioners Court moved to significantly increase salaries for itself and other top elected officials over the vociferous objections of one of its members. On Tuesday, the court voted 4-1 to approve setting aside money in the upcoming…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 1, 2019
Travis County approves final application for public defender's office
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court gave final approval to an application for state funding to set up a public defender’s office. While there are a couple of details that the court hopes to nail down in the coming…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Jul 31, 2019
Travis County eyes hotel tax to renovate expo center
The Travis County Commissioners Court made a move Tuesday that could put it in direct competition with the city of Austin for millions of dollars of future revenue from hotel stays. The three commissioners present voted unanimously to ask county…
Travis County • By Jack Craver • Jul 26, 2019
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.…
