City Council is now on the clock to determine whether it wants to be the spoiler for Travis County’s first-ever public improvement district. The Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to approve the creation of the WildHorse Ranch PID in far Northeast Austin. Because the project is within Austin’s city limits, Council now has 30 days […]
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.
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TipSheet: Travis County, 8.09.16
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. 1. Approve proclamation recognizing the week of August 15–21, 2016, as “Gay Softball Week” in Travis County. (Commissioner Shea) Monitor’s Take: […]
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners Court refines PID procedures
The Travis County Commissioners Court has made some notable procedural adjustments in the face of controversy over the public improvement district (aka PID) policy it passed earlier this year. On Tuesday, the court took several votes to tweak the procedures by which it will approach future PIDs. The actions came two weeks after City Council […]
Posted inTravis County
Courthouse committee seeks Commissioners Court’s guidance
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said on Tuesday that the current gold standard of potential sites for a new civil courthouse is another county-owned property in downtown Austin. “I do understand that, at least in the tier one analysis, it’s actually this building and the associated garage that rank highest,” Eckhardt said, referring to the […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 8.02.16
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. Also, a programming note this week: Due to the funeral services for Travis County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Craig Hutchinson, the Commissioners […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 7.25.16
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. 1. Receive comments regarding the petition for the creation of the Turners Crossing Public Improvement District in Precinct Four. (Commissioner Gómez) […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Kitten tsunami
Ignorance and arrogance… In her bid to stall the creation of the WildHorse Ranch public improvement district, City Council Member Ora Houston found support this weekend from none other than the Austin American-Statesman. The editorial board of the Lady Bird Lake real estate concern on Sunday published a piece accusing Travis County officials of “ignorance […]
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners Court sides with defense attorneys in courthouse screening case
The Travis County Commissioners Court has come to the aid of defense attorneys in their battle to ward off tighter security measures at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center. On Tuesday, the court voted to ask the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to reconsider changes in procedure that would force the attorneys to endure metal detector screenings […]
Posted inDevelopment
County PID project hits yet another snag
City Council Member Ora Houston urged the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday to tap the brakes on a proposed massive project in far East Austin. Houston personally visited the court’s regular weekly voting session to tell the commissioners that she had been kept in the dark about WildHorse Ranch, a project that could bring […]
Posted inTravis County
County clerk bristles at sweeping departmental survey
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to officially receive a massive third-party study of county departments, delivering in the process what County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir called “a slap in the face.” DeBeauvoir’s office obtained a copy of the draft report last month. Chief Deputy Clerk Ronald Morgan sent an email to County Judge […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 7.18.16
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. 2. Receive comments regarding proposed FY17 salaries of elected officials. (Commissioner Gómez) 16. Consider and take appropriate action to set the […]
Posted inDevelopment
PID passions fly at Travis County
A public hearing over a public improvement district sparked heated words between members of the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning. After wrangling the lengthy discussion to its conclusion, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt admitted that she had opened a Pandora’s box by allowing Commissioner Brigid Shea and Commissioner Ron Davis to weigh in during […]