Stories by Seth Smalley
Vacancy rates in Travis County have declined overall since last year, per Compensation Office
Employee vacancy rates in key areas of Travis County are declining as a result of measures taken by county commissioners last year, such as increasing the minimum county wage from $15 per hour to $20 per hour, as well as…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • May 24, 2023
Scrambling to fill unwanted correctional jobs, the county approves advertising contract
Travis County just granted the Sheriff’s Office a substantial chunk of money to help remedy its vacancy problem. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved the transfer to the Sheriff’s Office to pay for a $483,000 contract with Palladium Media –…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • May 11, 2023
Travis County honors Sheriff’s Office, in light of substantial correctional staffing shortages
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation Tuesday that recognized the week of May 7 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Travis County. Commissioners announced the proclamation before a group of several county correctional officers, including Travis…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • May 4, 2023
Fentanyl-related overdoses doubled in a year in Travis County, per medical examiner
Despite significant work across Travis County over the last year, the number of overdose deaths increased 35 percent and the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths climbed 108 percent. That number has increased tenfold since 2019 and has doubled since last…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • May 1, 2023
County to create new legal division, but advocates call for more autonomy
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a proposal on Tuesday to create a new community legal division along with a county executive position to oversee certain elements of it. Under the plan, the chief public defender would report to a…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Apr 20, 2023
County greenlights long-awaited performance audit of Central Health
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court greenlit a long-awaited independent performance audit with auditing firm Mazars for $854,200. The audit will examine how Central Health has used taxpayer money, with a close eye on the controversial, taxpayer-funded allocation of…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Apr 7, 2023
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Travis County celebrated teaching Black history, despite attempts to ban it
The Travis County Commissioners Court officially proclaimed February 2023 as Black History Month in a unanimous vote last month. The proclamation was made in conjunction with the Austin Independent School District’s celebration of African American heritage. Commissioners drew attention to…
Education • By Seth Smalley • Mar 30, 2023
Travis County to build diversion center aimed at reducing recidivism
The Travis County Commissioners Court passed a resolution Tuesday to create both a diversion center for mental health and substance use disorders as well as fund construction for a new central booking and intake facility. During a press briefing on…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Mar 23, 2023
End times near (for brush drop-off), says Travis County
Following a substantial decrease in demand, Travis County has announced that March 26 will be the last day Mansfield Dam Park will serve as a drop-off location for storm debris. Winter Storm Mara created an outsize need for debris disposal…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Mar 16, 2023
Google Fiber to expand presence in Travis County
Travis County is proceeding with an ongoing plan to use the public right of way to install Google Fiber in the western and southern portions of the county, as representatives from Google Fiber and county staff explained in updates Tuesday…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Mar 10, 2023
County ramps up debris cleanup efforts following Mara
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday mulled the county’s ongoing response to Winter Storm Mara, which rattled Central Texas with sleet, ice and rain four weeks ago, snapping power cables and tearing down tree branches. Discussion centered on county…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Mar 2, 2023
County pays tribute to joint vaccination efforts during pandemic
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court recognized the departments and organizations whose efforts were crucial in the county’s emergency response at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. “A dedicated group of public and private partners, including a cross section…
