Stories by Jacob Cottingham
Travis commissioners oppose discharge into Highland Lakes
In preparation for a November ruling from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday for a resolution expressing opposition to increased effluent discharge into Lake Travis and Lake Austin as well as their watersheds. Pct.…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Oct 28, 2009
Gomez looking for another term on Travis Commissioners Court
Travis County Pct. 4 Commissioner Margaret Gomez made her re-election announcement a little earlier this time around. At her 28th Annual Fish Fry outside the iconic Rabbit’s Lounge last week, she a crowd of supporters and county office candidates, “I…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Oct 19, 2009
TCEQ sued for ignoring greenhouse gases
On Tuesday environmental advocacy group Public Citizen sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, alleging that the state agency, which handles a variety of permits, has refused to hear data relating to the effects industry, especially coal power plants, may…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Oct 7, 2009
Travis County considers fee hike to cover development costs
Travis County Commissioners plan to raise development fees. The fees currently paid by large developers have not been amended since 2004, and are not covering the cost of the infrastructure they require. On top of that, property tax rates in…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Sep 11, 2009
Travis debates role in Austin Comprehensive Plan
Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday voted not to appoint a county subcommittee to initiate county involvement with the City of Austin’s Comprehensive Plan. The city’s plan includes its 298 square mile corporate area and its 321 square mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Sep 2, 2009
Austin Council moves forward with ban on texting while driving
The Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday that would prohibit driving a car and texting on a mobile communications device. The ban also covers other mobile device activities that don’t include GPS maps and actually speaking on the phone. The…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 28, 2009
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Travis grapples with domestic partnerships and health plans
Attempting to remedy “inequality” in the way the county processes open enrollment for domestic partnerships turned out to be a much more contentious task than Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt had planned. Her item, which would allow domestic partners to…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 26, 2009
City to investigate ‘alternative’ rail routes for future projects
The city continues to plan for alternative routes for current rail traffic through the area in order to accommodate future light rail and/or streetcar projects. The studies include alternatives to a Congress Avenue crossing over Lady Bird Lake, among other…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 26, 2009
Questions arise over effectiveness of Stage 2 drought plan
Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros said Thursday the utility would eventually have 15-20 employees working on citation-related activities related to the enhanced water conservation. But there will only be 10 to 12 water cops ready to start work…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 21, 2009
East Cesar Chavez VMU zoning elicits outcry
East Austin residents and grassroots activists complained bitterly to Council last week about a proposed zoning change to seven properties in the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood. The change would grant several commercial and commercial mixed use lots a Vertical Mixed…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 13, 2009
Travis County balances its preliminary 2010 budget
Travis County’s budget balancing act for FY2010 will require a three percent tax increase over the effective rate, according to the financial staff. And the county’s budget gurus warned Tuesday that FY2011 would likely be more challenging. Budget Manager…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 12, 2009
Library and Parks Departments share budget presentations
Austin’s libraries and parks, which suffered with deep cuts in both hours and manpower during the last economic slowdown in 2003, report they are holding their own in the current economy, despite some challenges. Brenda Branch, director of Austin’s…
