The Travis County Commissioners Court was delighted to hear that a proposed affordable housing project has become even bigger after the developer decided to add another story to the project. AMTEX, the developer, now wants to build 304 income-restricted units at 7430 Bluff Springs Road, which sits just outside city limits in Southeast Austin. Previously, […]
Jack Craver
Posted inWhispers
Travis County approves $100,000 loan to Sobering Center
On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $100,000 loan to Sobering Center Austin to prevent the facility from having to make cuts as it awaits funding from the state Health and Human Services Commission. According to Travis County Judge Nancy Hohengarten, who chairs the Sobering Center board, the organization, which is a local government […]
Posted inPlanning
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 Road to Montview Drive and will be a gated road that first responders can open […]
Posted inAustin
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 a deal whereby the city would get the Palm School in exchange for two city […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 7.9.19
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The entire agenda is available on the Travis County website. 12. Consider and take appropriate action to set elected official salaries for FY 2020. […]
Posted inBudget
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 gone to 5 percent or higher in only seven of the past 25 budget cycles. […]
Posted inPublic Safety
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 certain crimes. Earlier this month, county staff recommended that Dallas-based Recovery Healthcare take over the […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 6.18.19
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The entire agenda is available on the Travis County website. 9. Consider and take appropriate action on the following FY 2020 compensation issues: A. […]
Posted inPublic Safety
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. This trend represents a big business opportunity for the multiple companies in Central Texas that […]
Posted inTravis County
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 analyzes how county employees’ compensation compares to their peers working for the city and other […]
Posted inPreservation
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 who will own the building, which for decades has been the home of the Travis […]
Posted inPublic Safety
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, a 9 percent decrease from five years ago. Between 2014-18, the number of people booked […]