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 at the Travis County website. This week’s meeting will be broadcast to ensure everyone is able to follow social […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inWhispers
Texas Rowing Center contract renewed, with stipulations
The Texas Rowing Center has been located along the shores of Lady Bird Lake for decades and has consistently renewed its boating concessions contract with the city. However, members of the Parks and Recreation Board noted Tuesday that certain aspects of the company’s land management need to be addressed before City Council executes a new […]
Posted inWhispers
Travis County prohibits gatherings of more than 100 people
As cases of coronavirus surge around the state, County Judge Sam Biscoe issued an order Thursday prohibiting outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people, except as permitted under Gov. Greg Abbott’s GA-26 order. The limitation on gathering size will remain in effect until July 10. The order also notes that people should not socialize in […]
Posted inParks
City gets parks board blessing to rename Metz Recreation Center
Austin is now one step closer to officially changing the name of the Metz Recreation Center at 2407 Canterbury St. to the Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center. On June 24, the Parks and Recreation Board unanimously recommended that City Council change the name of the East Austin recreation center – which is currently named after […]
Posted inWhispers
Covid-19 cases tracked through faxes
Cases of Covid-19 continue to climb in Travis County. Austin’s interim medical authority, Dr. Mark Escott, told the Travis County Commissioners Court Tuesday that part of the difficulty in tracking that increase is the process being employed. Austin Public Health employees must sift through faxes from testing labs and enter the data into the system […]
Posted inParks
Parks board recommends not installing metered parking at parks
Parking in Austin is a precious commodity. It has also become more expensive for many residents who use the city’s parks for recreation. After hiking the prices for metered parking to $2 an hour last year, the city announced it will add Deep Eddy to the list of parks with metered parking, which includes the Emma […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County considers 80% tax break to coax Tesla
Electric vehicle company Tesla is considering moving to southeastern Travis County to build its “Gigafactory” where it will construct its much-hyped Cybertruck. To entice the California company to make its home in Texas, Travis County is proposing giving the company an 80 percent rebate on its property taxes for the first 10 years of its […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 6.23.20
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 at the Travis County website. This week’s meeting will be broadcast to ensure everyone is able to follow social […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County’s small business grant program sees $2.5M in requests in three days
In April, Travis County approved $10 million in grant funding to aid small businesses affected by the economic crisis caused by Covid-19. However, it was only last week that Travis County businesses outside of Austin had their first chance to determine whether they qualified for the relief grants. “We’ve seen over $2.5 million in requests […]
Posted inWhispers
TravCo to consider ‘gigafactory’ Tuesday
This week the Travis County Commissioners Court will discuss the associated economic development incentives meant to attract California car maker Tesla to construct its planned $1 billion “Gigafactory” in the far reaches of East Austin. The 5-million-square-foot plant will bring along 5,000 middle-skill manufacturing jobs with a $15 per hour salary. The project is anticipated to […]
Posted inBudget
Environmental Commission recommends Watershed Protection Department budget
Among the coronavirus pandemic’s many consequences is an impact on the Watershed Protection Department’s proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Even with the decision to cut back in areas, the department is still proposing a $107.1 million operating budget for 2021, with $101.2 million in expected revenue. “Based on what we’ve seen in our […]
Posted inHousing
Travis County $10M mortgage and rental assistance program to go live June 29
After spending a month working through the details of a proposed rent and mortgage assistance program for Travis County residents impacted by the economic fallout from Covid-19, the Commissioners Court unanimously voted to allocate $10 million of the county’s $61 million in CARES Act funding at its June 16 meeting. The program is scheduled to […]