Travis County may have fared better than its neighbors during last week’s deadly storms, but that silver lining could have its downside for many property owners. County Judge Sarah Eckhardt predicted on Tuesday that the relative lack of mayhem would likely sink the county’s chances to receive federal assistance to deal with the aftermath. “I […]
Travis County
Posted inTravis County
Travis County takes no action on appraisals
Travis County Commissioners voted on Friday to do nothing. That was the decision in a rare special voting session called to address the city of Austin’s decision to challenge commercial property tax appraisals. The commissioners had before them three options: file their own challenge of the appraisals, direct county attorneys to participate in the city’s […]
Posted inTravis County, Uncategorized
Commissioners kick off overhaul of special events permitting
Travis County Commissioners Court took a big step Tuesday toward reforming the mass-gathering permitting process for large special events. The commissioners voted unanimously to open the issue to public comment for the required 30 days before making any final changes. Recent big events at Carson Creek Ranch have stirred up concerns from neighbors about noise, […]
Posted inTravis County
Ronnie Earle Building survives another close vote
A controversy-plagued building project survived yet one more do-or-die vote at Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. The commissioners approved a contract modification to set the guaranteed maximum price to build the Ronnie Earle Building at $42,487,620. The building will serve as the headquarters for the District Attorney’s Office, whose staff is currently housed in different […]
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TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners 5.19.15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. Items of interest include: 10. Receive briefing on legal and procedural implications of a possible City of Austin property tax appraisal […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis Commissioners ponder drunk-tank proposal
The Travis County Commissioners Court took another tentative step toward establishing a sobriety center in partnership with the City of Austin at its regular voting session. Perhaps better known colloquially as a drunk tank, the proposed sobriety center would serve as an alternative to Travis County Jail or local emergency rooms as destinations for people detained […]
Posted inEnvironment, Transportation, Travis County
County asks for ‘loop’ road project studies
Travis County is asking the area’s transportation authorities to step back and take a look at the big picture. In a controversial 2-1 vote, the Travis County Commissioners Court is asking the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to institute broader studies. The studies would look at the effects of proposed State Highway 45 Southwest and its […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis Commissioners delay hiring administrator
The Travis County Commissioners Court put the brakes on hiring a new county executive of administrative operations last week after officials questioned whether the county’s current organizational structure was the most efficient. “We talked about how important it was to move county government perhaps in a little bit of a different direction as far as management,” […]
Posted inAustin, Hays County, Roads, Transportation, Travis County
US Fish and Wildlife concerned about SH 45 SW
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sent letters to Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and others Wednesday, expressing concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the proposed State Highway 45 Southwest on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan, or BCCP. Eckhardt has called for a hold on current plans for the highway. In […]
Posted inTravis County
Eckhardt marks her first 100 days in office
Today marks Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt’s 100th day in office. Eckhardt got a jump on the celebration Thursday, holding a news conference to commemorate the occasion. She looked back over the past 100 days as well as forward, toward issues that the Travis County Commissioners Court will be taking on in the near future. After […]
Posted inPolice, Travis County
Hamilton upset over county’s handling of report
Tuesday’s Travis County Commissioners Court voting session turned from sanguine to nearly sour when a stern Sheriff Greg Hamilton showed up to speak on the day’s final item, a report that would steer more money into an ongoing re-examination of the county’s adult correctional system. The first phase of the two-part analysis cost $461,310 and […]
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TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners 4.07
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. Items of interest include: 1. Receive comments regarding the issuance of a Mass Gathering Permit for Untapped Festival to be held […]