For the first time ever, the Lower Colorado River Authority may raise fees to develop within the Highland Lakes watershed. The only question seems to be how much of those fees will be passed on to developers. The measure – up for a vote Wednesday at the LCRA’s February board of directors meeting – […]
Local Government
Posted inLocal Government
Travis employees sound off over plans to change parking rules
Travis County Commissioners recently found out that the quickest way to rile Texans is to mess with their ability to buy or sell a gun. Court members may have found out Tuesday that the second quickest way to upset them is to mess with their parking spaces. Commissioners got an earful from a number […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
Confederation of water utilities presses rate case against Austin
A group of local water districts continues to press their case against the City of Austin, claiming that the city’s wholesale water rates are unrelated to the cost of providing service. Both the Citizens for Fair Rates and the Austin Water Utility say they are in talks over a possible settlement of the case, but […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
Hays County loses $400K in real estate sale
SAN MARCOS— With the opening of the Hays County Government Center in early 2012, county employees began their exodus to the newly constructed $50 million government complex leaving four downtown county buildings empty in San Marcos. After nearly two years on the market, Hays County has finalized the sale of the last two of […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources, Uncategorized
Travis County Commissioners back LCRA emergency drought order
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to back the Lower Colorado River Authority’s 2014 emergency drought order that would again limit the release of Highland Lakes water to agriculture interests downstream. The three-member Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are expected to take final action today amid new discouraging information about the drought. TCEQ’s executive director […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
Travis Commissioners approve plans for new office building
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved design plans Tuesday for the county’s planned office building at corner of 11th and San Antonio streets. The plans for the building, which will house the District Attorney’s Office, were approved by unanimous vote. According to Roger El Khoury, director of the county’s Facilities Management Department, the seven-story […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Transportation
SH45 Southwest gaining steam with federal funding removal
The construction of State Highway 45 Southwest could come sooner rather than later, bypassing lengthy, stringent federal reviews, now that CAMPO, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, has stripped the $100 million project of federal funding. Without federal dollars, the state could move forward with the project, eliminating the federal environmental requirements attached to the […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Challenger adds some interest to usually quiet County Treasurer’s race
The race in the Democratic primary for Travis County Treasurer hasn’t drawn much attention so far in this election season but that could change as the campaigns near the March 4 Election Day. Incumbent Dolores Ortega Carter, 63, who has held the job since 1987, is being challenged by political newcomer Ramey Ko, 33, […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Gun show a no go with background checks in contract
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to offer the promoters of the Saxet Gun Show a new contract containing language requiring background checks on all gun sales, even private transactions. However, show promoter Todd Beiter said late Tuesday that he will not accept the new contract. Commissioners voted 3-0 to offer a contract with the […]
Posted inLocal Government, Transportation
Capital Metro endorses Highland-East Riverside rail alignment
The Capital Metro board officially backed the first phase planned by Project Connect Wednesday. The board voted 7-0 on the resolution with Frank Fernandez off the dais. The plan is the same one Project Connect finalized late last year that would connect the Highland Mall area of Austin with downtown and East Riverside by rail. […]
Posted inLocal Government, Transportation
Travis County ponders paying employees to leave car at home
Travis County employees, Pct. 2 Commissioner Bruce Todd wants you to leave your car at home. And if the plan goes through, the county will pay you to do so. In what turned into a long and wide-ranging discussion about transportation maladies throughout Travis County, commissioners heard proposals on ways to reduce congestion and […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Rapidly developing winter storm catches city officials off guard
A relatively quick and unexpected change in weather conditions early Tuesday morning resulted in a considerable scheduling confusion in the Central Texas region. Among other changes, Austin City Council members found themselves suddenly without a work session Tuesday morning. Travis County Commissioners, meanwhile, delayed the start of their proceedings until 10:30am. City employees are […]