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Tag Archives: Travis County Commissioners Court
Residential substance abuse treatment program for women to open next fall
At its Tuesday meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $469,559 contract for a residential substance use treatment program for women, using the state’s opioid abatement funds. The contract is the first time an inpatient residential resource has been…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Oct 3, 2024
Ken Paxton sues Travis County for approving security funds for DA José Garza behind closed doors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed another lawsuit against the Travis County Commissioners Court on Monday – this time over a $115,000 payment the court made to District Attorney José Garza’s office behind closed doors. The payment was approved during a…
Courts • By Katy McAfee, KUT News • Oct 1, 2024
Travis County passes budget with a focus on justice reform
Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, totaling almost $2 billion – investments in the county’s mental health care services and legal defense apparatus mean the average homeowner will see an increase of about…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 30, 2024
Travis County approves 6.5% tax rate increase for Central Health budget amid financial controversy
Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a 6.5 percent tax rate increase and a $888 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county’s health care district, Central Health, on Tuesday – amid uncertainty about a potential conflict between Central Health’s mission…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 26, 2024
Attorney files complaint about consultant’s statements on Central Health
On Monday, attorney Fred Lewis filed a complaint alleging the unauthorized practice of law by Steve Herbst, the lead consultant on a contract with Forvis Mazars to review the performance of Central Health for Travis County. The complaint was based…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 24, 2024
Travis County commissioners postpone tax rate increase for Central Health amid financial transparency concerns
After last week’s confusing and concerning audit report on Travis County’s health care district Central Health, the Commissioners Court this week put off voting on the district’s budget and a 6.5 percent tax rate increase for Fiscal Year 2025 amid…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 19, 2024
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Central Health audit raises more questions than answers
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Travis County Commissioners Court received a troubling and confusing report on an audit it authorized in 2022 of the county’s health care district, Central Health. Audit consultant Mazars found that Central Health has committed no…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Sep 12, 2024
Paxton sues Travis County over voter registration attempt
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Friday in an attempt to prevent Travis County from hiring an outside firm to find people eligible to vote who are not registered. The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously last…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Sep 9, 2024
County to fully staff lawyers at bail hearings beginning Oct. 1
Justice advocates have been calling for Travis County to instate Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) – an integral part of the justice system that ensures everyone access to a lawyer at their initial bail hearing – for years. In the…
Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Aug 29, 2024
Austin and Travis County's first Food Plan nears its finish line
Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the country, and Austin’s numbers aren’t much better: 158,270 Travis County residents, or 16 percent, are food insecure. Not being able to pay for food is a symptom of larger failures…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Aug 26, 2024
Central Health sends 2025 fiscal year budget to Travis County for final approval
Central Health leadership gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $884 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget will go before Travis County commissioners for a final vote in September. As Travis County’s public hospital district, Central Health is…
Budget • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Aug 26, 2024
County commissioners approve tax rate election to raise $75M for child care
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to place a tax rate increase on the November ballot that could generate $75 million per year to improve child care services throughout the area. If approved, the money would be used to…
