Travis County Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Travillion acknowledges that 2021 was a “challenging year.” But where others saw problems, Travillion saw opportunities. In areas lacking basic amenities like hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, Travillion made use of public schools and community centers for Covid-19 testing and vaccine roll-out. “My proudest moment was working with community organizations […]
Travis County Commissioners Court
The legislative body for Travis County. It includes representatives from the four Travis County Precincts, as well as the County Judge. The County Judge serves as the chair of the Court.
Posted inTravis County
Diversion programs can reduce mass incarceration in Travis County
At Thursday’s work session, the Travis County Commissioners Court fielded discussion about the benefits of, and recent updates to, several jail diversion programs underway in Travis County. Such programs included pretrial and pre-charge diversion programs, as well as a DWI diversion program. Roughly 500 people have been accepted to the programs so far, according to […]
Posted inPublic Safety
County looks to Sobering Center to house jail-diversion program
On Thursday, the Travis County Commissioners Court convened a working group meeting to receive the findings of a feasibility study regarding the potential combination of a criminal justice/mental health diversion program with the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center. The county commissioned the study to ascertain whether saving costs on the diversion program by coupling it with […]
Posted inPublic Health
County renews agreement for substance use treatment services
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved and ratified an amendment to the substance use disorder managed services agreement for the 2022 fiscal year. The interlocal agreement between the city, the county and Integral Care is aimed at contracting for substance use treatment services, and has been in effect since 1999. “It was developed […]
Posted inPublic Health
Council extends masking rules to June
After hearing from Dr. Desmar Walkes, health authority for Austin-Travis County, at a joint meeting with the Travis County Commissioners Court Tuesday, City Council voted to extend the current health authority rules until June 10, 2022. Commissioners also acted to extend their rules. Under those rules, students, staff and visitors older than 2 years are […]
Posted inTravis County
County irons out details in disaster preparedness plan
The Commissioners Court convened for a work session Thursday to hear a presentation on county preparations for disasters, particularly those in the vein of last February’s Winter Storm Uri. The briefing was a response to a resolution commissioners approved on Nov. 16, directing county executives to flesh out the details of a disaster relief plan. […]
Posted inTravis County
County looks to expand its HUB program
Over the past four years, Stephen Blake, a partner at North Park Consulting, has served as a Travis County contractor, helping county agencies to function more efficiently. His work with the county began through the Travis County Historically Underutilized Business, or HUB, program. As the co-owner of a certified women- and African-American-owned business, a particular […]
Posted inHousing
County approves bond sale to finance Limestone Ridge senior apartments
On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved a resolution authorizing the sale of revenue bonds to help finance a multifamily residential development called Limestone Ridge Senior Project. The item was taken up during a Housing Finance Corporation voting session, following the adjournment of the Commissioners Court for the day. The development is located at 7011 McKinney Falls […]
Posted inPublic Safety
‘Corporal’ added to law enforcement roster in Travis County
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved the addition of a new “corporal” position, and its related funding, to the existing lineup of titles in law enforcement in the county. In terms of rank, the position will be situated between senior deputy and sergeant. Instead of hiring new corporals, existing senior deputies in the […]
Posted inTravis County
County to temporarily halt applications for rental assistance, pending Treasury response
There was no shortage of confusing acronyms and numbers being batted around during Tuesday’s discussion of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Option One, Option Two, ERAP 3, ERAP 2, the aggregate of ERAP 1 and ERAP 2. “Can we refer to it as Option Two instead of Option B?” someone asked. Here’s the gist: There […]
Posted inPublic Safety
County approves half a million for better DNA analysis
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve a three-year grant award for $573,637 to expand DNA testing ability at the Austin Police Department. The money, sourced from the Department of Justice, will also cover the cost of hiring two staff attorneys for the District Attorney’s Office, who will work in tandem with the […]
Posted inTravis County
What would remote work mean for Travis County?
In September, Travis County announced its goal to transition 75 percent of its employees to work from home permanently, tasking Deloitte Consulting to smooth the process. On Nov. 18, commissioners convened a special session to examine the findings of Deloitte’s 14-week study on remote work in the county. The presentation included case studies of other governments […]