Stories by Jack Craver
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
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
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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,…
Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Jun 4, 2019
Cap Metro to debut new ride-hailing service in Manor
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved funding a new ride-hailing project in Manor run by Capital Metro. The service, called Pickup, aims to provide residents of Austin’s fastest-growing suburb an alternative to driving that is more reliable…
Transit • By Jack Craver • Jun 3, 2019
Travis County contemplates small wins, big losses at Legislature
Every week while the state Legislature is in session, Travis County’s chief lobbyist, Deece Eckstein, briefs members of the Commissioners Court on the bills that might affect the county. In recent months, the weekly briefing has usually been bleak, but…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • May 29, 2019
Travis County offers free bus rides to jurors
In a city as car-dependent as Austin, you might think a free parking spot would be the least Travis County could offer people traveling downtown to perform jury service. And yet, the Travis County website makes clear that those performing…
