In search of steadier financial footing amid the economic turmoil triggered by Covid-19, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pursue an immediate hiring freeze for nonessential personnel. Commissioners will permit county staff to return on April 28 with a list of exceptions to the hiring freeze for approval. The hiring […]
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 inTransportation
County commissioners to write ‘harsh’ letter reprimanding CAMPO planning process
After considering asking for a delay, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed not to obstruct the scheduled adoption of the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Instead, the commissioners intend to communicate their displeasure with the planning process through a letter they will approve at today’s meeting. On April 20, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 4.14.20
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. This week’s meeting will be broadcast to ensure that everyone is able to adhere to social distancing regulations. The public can access the meeting by watching the livestream or tuning into public access Channel 17. To help our readers stay informed, each week we […]
Posted inTravis County
County Commissioners Court looks toward economic recovery solutions
The financial figures representing the economic repercussions of self-isolation and shuttered businesses are beginning to surface in Travis County. Diana Ramirez, the director of Travis County’s Economic Development & Strategic Investments, told the Commissioners Court on April 7 that although local numbers are still not available, state and federal numbers offer a good indication of […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County 4.7.20
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The entire agenda is available at the Travis County website. 1. Consider and take appropriate action regarding: Economic impacts of Covid-19 response, and resources and […]
Posted inTransportation
County considers asking CAMPO for delayed Regional Transportation Plan adoption
Plummeting oil prices and sales tax revenue have prompted the Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources Department to request a delay in the scheduled adoption of the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Scheleen Walker, long-range planning manager with the department, says a delay of a few months will allow time for markets to stabilize and give the […]
Posted inDevelopment
County to pause construction on some inessential public works projects
Travis County plans to pause construction on some of its public works projects to slow the spread of the coronavirus over the coming weeks. As a general rule, residential and commercial construction has been put on hold since the county’s Stay Home, Work Safe order took effect March 25, allowing exceptions for affordable housing, construction […]
Posted inHousing
Commissioners Court to facilitate talks in disagreement between ABoR and TCAD
TCAD Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler told the Travis County Commissioners Court on March 10 that despite receiving a cease-and-desist order to stop collecting third-party sales data, her office is still working to acquire the necessary data to accurately appraise home values in Travis County. On Feb. 14, Crigler announced that the Travis Central Appraisal District […]
Posted inElections
Eckhardt resigns, declares for Texas Senate
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt resigned her position on the Commissioners Court Tuesday, launching her campaign for the Texas Senate seat being vacated by Kirk Watson. Eckhardt wiped away tears as she told her colleagues, “I really love Travis County. … This is the most fun and challenging job I’ve ever had.” “Today I am […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: The race is on
Biscoe looks like the answer for Travis County… Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt’s name moves from the “very likely” category of contenders to take over Austin state Sen. Kirk Watson’s seat at the Legislature to the “almost certain” category with an item on the Commissioners Court agenda for Tuesday. That item would allow commissioners to […]
Posted inElections
Howard and Bolton earn spots in runoff for Precinct 3
Ann Howard, the former executive director of Ending Homelessness Community Coalition, won the most votes on Tuesday night, but there is one more hurdle to clear. A runoff election will determine which Democratic candidate will go against Republican Rebecca Bray this November in the contest to replace Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, the sole Republican […]
Posted inPublic Health
Public health experts address state of COVID-19, with no plans to scrap SXSW
Tuesday’s Travis County Commissioners Court meeting was virtually a preview of a news conference scheduled for today regarding the region’s response to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus. During a presentation to the five-member board, Dr. Mark Escott, interim medical director and health authority for Austin Public Health, said local […]