Stories by Ken Chambers
Better Builder Program provides oversight for construction sites in Travis County
County construction site monitors have uncovered a range of safety violations – including a child operating heavy machinery, the Travis County Commissioners Court learned Tuesday. While most issues found by monitors in the Travis County Better Builder Program are not…
Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Nov 2, 2023
East Austin factory would feature world’s largest rooftop solar array
Tesla’s factory in East Austin would be the largest rooftop solar installation in the world when complete, company officials say. “We finished phase 1, so we can pull roughly 10 megawatts. When it’s all said and done, it will be…
Austin • By Ken Chambers • Oct 31, 2023
Commissioners voice support for Tesla factory, community investment plan
The Travis County Commissioners Court defended tax breaks for Tesla’s factory in East Austin and approved the company’s plan to donate $750,000 as part of the tax incentive deal. This is more than double the amount – $298,000 – the…
Travis County • By Ken Chambers • Oct 30, 2023
County inventories show sizable decline in greenhouse gas emissions
The first inventories of greenhouse gases in Travis County show declining emissions in all sectors except one. The inventories completed in 2019 and 2021 list the total emissions of greenhouse gases created in the county. They show an overall drop…
Environment • By Ken Chambers • Oct 12, 2023
County adds more “deeply affordable” housing units
Travis County has built about 12,000 affordable housing units and has more on the way, Travis County Corporations Managing Director Andrea Shields told the Commissioners Court last Tuesday. “That number will need to be updated with what you may approve…
Housing • By Ken Chambers • Oct 10, 2023
Domestic violence task force reports milestones
Gathered to kick off its awareness month, the Austin/Travis County Domestic Violence Task Force reported important progress since the difficult days of 2020. After a record number of requests for protective orders during the pandemic – and a record number…
Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Oct 6, 2023
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TxDOT ignored I-35 expansion health concerns, county says
The Travis County Commissioners Court says the Texas Department of Transportation has ignored their concerns about the impact of Interstate 35 expansion on the health of Austin residents. “We specifically asked TxDOT to do a number of important studies –…
Roads • By Ken Chambers • Sep 29, 2023
Commissioners pass health district tax increase but plan increased scrutiny
On their second attempt, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to approve a tax increase and 3-1 to approve the 2024 budget for the county health care district. The votes increase the tax rate to 10.07 cents per $100…
Budget • By Ken Chambers • Sep 28, 2023
Commissioners question health care district contingency fund, postpone budget vote
The Travis County Commissioners Court took no action on the county health care district’s proposed budget and tax increase Tuesday after repeatedly questioning the wisdom of the district’s $379 million contingency fund. The controversial fund grew rapidly in recent years…
