In addition to its toll on public health, Covid-19 poses an economic threat both to individual finances and to businesses. In Travis County, the Economic Development & Strategic Investments Department has rolled out a public dashboard to track the pandemic’s economic impacts in real time. “It make take several months for us to understand the […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inPlanning
Compromise reached at Lantana PCA, Environmental Commission recommends project
After postponing its recommendation on the project consent agreement at the Lantana project in Southwest Austin, the Environmental Commission has reached an agreement with the developer and the Save Our Springs Alliance on how to move forward. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the 35-acre project in Southwest […]
Posted inPublic Health
Commissioners Court discusses ‘oscillation strategy’ to exit quarantine
As the county’s May 8 end date for its stay-at-home order draws near, the Commissioners Court began to discuss the next steps in the battle to flatten the curve. “There is no return to ‘normal,’” County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said at Tuesday’s meeting of the Commissioners Court. However, she did say there must be an […]
Posted inAustin
Commissioners Court approves community-generated emergency food contract
In an effort to simultaneously cut down on food waste and increase community access to food, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved a contract to provide supplemental emergency prepared food to Travis County residents. The $160,000 contract is the result of a collaborative effort between the Cook’s Nook culinary incubator and commercial kitchen, food distributors and […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 4.21.20
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. This week’s meeting will be broadcast to ensure everyone is able to follow social distancing regulations. The public can access the meeting by watching the livestream or tuning into public access Channel 17. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection […]
Posted inTransportation
County commissioners send admonishing letter to CAMPO
After weeks of debate, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to send a letter to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization criticizing its planning process for the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. However, despite concerns from commissioners and the public about the limited public engagement process over the reallocation of $600 million from CAMPO and the […]
Posted inPublic Health
CommUnityCare opens new drive-thru testing sites
After indefinitely closing seven CommUnityCare clinics earlier this month, the community healthcare provider opened its second drive-thru Covid-19 testing center to serve eastern Travis County. CommUnityCare is also reopening two of its clinics in the Eastern Crescent. April 16 was the first day of operation for the Central Health drive-thru testing site at the Del […]
Posted inBudget
County freezes hiring for remainder of the fiscal year
In search of steadier financial footing amid the economic turmoil triggered by Covid-19, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pursue an immediate hiring freeze for nonessential personnel. Commissioners will permit county staff to return on April 28 with a list of exceptions to the hiring freeze for approval. The hiring […]
Posted inTransportation
County commissioners to write ‘harsh’ letter reprimanding CAMPO planning process
After considering asking for a delay, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed not to obstruct the scheduled adoption of the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Instead, the commissioners intend to communicate their displeasure with the planning process through a letter they will approve at today’s meeting. On April 20, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 4.14.20
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. This week’s meeting will be broadcast to ensure that everyone is able to adhere to social distancing regulations. The public can access the meeting by watching the livestream or tuning into public access Channel 17. To help our readers stay informed, each week we […]
Posted inFire
Austin has a new Wildland-Urban Interface fire code
After years of planning and preparation, City Council unanimously adopted the Wildland-Urban Interface Code last Thursday. In addition to adopting the code, which focuses on regulating building codes to protect structures against wildfires, Council Member Alison Alter made a motion instructing the city manager to outline a separate stakeholder process addressing vegetation management and fuel […]
Posted inEnvironment
City of Austin releases update on climate resilience plan
Resilience is a word that seems particularly relevant as Austin closes public spaces and dining institutions and limits gatherings in response to the spread of Covid-19. Although the city has yet to develop a holistic resilience plan that prepares the state’s capital for extreme weather and response to crises, there is a climate-related resilience plan […]