Stories by Seth Smalley
Courthouse dining elevated: Veracruz All Natural contracts with county courts facility
Veracruz All Natural, which makes some of Austin’s most acclaimed tacos, will open an outpost downtown to serve the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility. The facility opened earlier this year, with about 2,247 square feet of real estate…
Courts • By Seth Smalley • Aug 17, 2023
Travis County to set pay raises for elected officials in line with all county workers
Travis County is in the preliminary stages of raising pay for its elected officials by 5 percent. The news came during the Tuesday session of the Travis County Commissioners Court. Todd Osburn, the assistant director of total rewards with the…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Aug 3, 2023
Travis County still slated to spend millions in 2021 ARPA funding
Travis County has until the end of 2026 to spend $146 million of federal funding it received two years ago, according to the Planning and Budget Office. On Tuesday, Dashiell Daniels with the county’s Planning and Budget Office told the…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jul 27, 2023
County approves Travis Club development, despite community objections
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday passed a motion approving an initial phase of the Travis Club development, a 1,047-acre property – featuring golf course lots, a marina and more than 500 housing units – that is slated for…
Development • By Seth Smalley • Jul 20, 2023
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Travis County voting advocates fight for more access for students
University voting advocates on Tuesday took to the Travis County Commissioners Court to advocate for equitable voting access on college campuses on and before election day, specifically at St. Edward’s University and Huston-Tillotson University. Advocates – mostly from voting rights…
Elections • By Seth Smalley • Jul 13, 2023
Travis County to look at cost-of-living adjustments and pay increases for in-person workers
Travis County commissioners recently discussed whether the county can increase pay for its non-remote workers, as well as the possibility of cost-of-living wage increases. Todd Osburn of the county’s compensation office on June 27 briefed the Travis County Commissioners Court…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jul 6, 2023
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County gives final OK for millions toward low-income housing at Juniper Creek
The Travis County Commissioners Court on June 27 approved a measure funding an affordable housing contract for Foundation Communities, a nonprofit provider of affordable housing and subrecipient of the Juniper Creek development contract. The money is sourced from the Coronavirus…
Planning • By Seth Smalley • Jul 3, 2023
State laws will have broad-spectrum effects on Travis County
The 88th Texas Legislature’s regular session recently ended, with both favorable and unfavorable fiscal effects on Travis County. On Tuesday, county Intergovernmental Relations Officer Julie Wheeler updated the Travis County Commissioners Court on the outcomes of the session and the…
Texas State Legislature • By Seth Smalley • Jun 22, 2023
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County acknowledges success of mentorship and leadership program
During the Travis County Commissioners Court’s June 13 session, commissioners recognized the success of the county’s technology mentorship program. “The Travis County technology mentorship program was established to prepare and equip the next generation of leaders within the information technology…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jun 20, 2023
County-supported development brings more multifamily housing to market
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday authorized final approval on a multifamily housing revenue bond for the Kensington apartments. The property spans 148 units located at 3300 Manor Road. All of the units are intended for those making at…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jun 8, 2023
Travis County considers own 'Marshall Plan'
Travis County is mulling its very own “Marshall Plan” – an all-encompassing system for revamping social programs in East Travis County, modeled after the post-World War II plan to rebuild Europe’s economy and infrastructure. On Thursday, Economic Development & Strategic…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jun 2, 2023
As city ends remote and telework opportunities, county receives national recognition for its remote work initiative
The National Association of Counties honored Travis County for its remote work program this week, which aimed to make 75 percent of eligible jobs at the county remote. Travis County’s initiative launched at the beginning of the pandemic in May…
