After a rocky start, two local nonprofits reunited this year to create a program that supports Black and Latina girls. Nonprofit groups Measure and Hearts2Heal first met with the Travis County Commissioners Court in July 2021. They proposed using American Rescue Plan Act funding for a “proactive, evidence-based service on behalf of black girls in […]
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 inEMS
County funds ambulance alternatives as call volumes remain high
With 911 call volumes still near pandemic records and EMS staff shortages limiting ambulance availability, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed to spend more for ambulance alternatives. Commissioners voted Tuesday to increase the county’s share in the 2024 interlocal agreement with Austin by roughly 11 percent to reach $17.6 million. The additional funds will be […]
Posted inTravis County
County public defender office takes shape
The long process of unifying Travis County’s three separate public defender offices took another step forward last week. The Commissioners Court reviewed draft bylaws for the oversight board the first time Nov. 2 and agreed to another voting session to work through details. The unification of the separate offices for adult, juvenile and mental health […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Travis County voters approve bond propositions aimed at roads, parks
On election night, Travis County voters overwhelmingly approved a bond package that will bolster roads and parks. Proposition A includes $233,060,000 in road bonds that will pay for safety projects, acquiring land for right of way, road drainage, bike lanes, side walks, shared use paths and other projects. Proposition B includes $276,440,000 of bonds for […]
Posted inHousing
County contract to help more residents avoid eviction
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a new contract Tuesday with nonprofit El Buen Samaritano to help more Travis County families stay in their homes. The contract is one part of the county’s response to rising eviction rates. In addition to supporting El Buen Samaritano – also known as El Buen – the county offers […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Better Builder Program provides oversight for construction sites in Travis County
County construction site monitors have uncovered a range of safety violations – including a child operating heavy machinery, the Travis County Commissioners Court learned Tuesday. While most issues found by monitors in the Travis County Better Builder Program are not immediately dangerous, director of Contract Compliance and Better Builder programs Tenley Aldredge told commissioners, some […]
Posted inAustin
East Austin factory would feature world’s largest rooftop solar array
Tesla’s factory in East Austin would be the largest rooftop solar installation in the world when complete, company officials say. “We finished phase 1, so we can pull roughly 10 megawatts. When it’s all said and done, it will be 30 megawatts, which will be the largest rooftop solar I think in the world,” Logan […]
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners voice support for Tesla factory, community investment plan
The Travis County Commissioners Court defended tax breaks for Tesla’s factory in East Austin and approved the company’s plan to donate $750,000 as part of the tax incentive deal. This is more than double the amount – $298,000 – the electric vehicle manufacturer is required to spend based on the $2.9 million in tax breaks […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Travis County voters to consider bond package aimed at road, park improvements
Early voting in the Travis County bond election begins on Monday, Oct. 23, and runs through Nov. 3. Election day is Nov. 7. The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved adding the bond to the November election on Aug. 15. The package includes two propositions that direct more than $500 million to roads and parks. […]
Posted inEnvironment
County inventories show sizable decline in greenhouse gas emissions
The first inventories of greenhouse gases in Travis County show declining emissions in all sectors except one. The inventories completed in 2019 and 2021 list the total emissions of greenhouse gases created in the county. They show an overall drop of 20.3 percent from 2019 to 2021. Of the seven sectors inventoried, only water/wastewater increased. […]
Posted inHousing
County adds more “deeply affordable” housing units
Travis County has built about 12,000 affordable housing units and has more on the way, Travis County Corporations Managing Director Andrea Shields told the Commissioners Court last Tuesday. “That number will need to be updated with what you may approve today, but I would say it’s around 12,000 units,” Shields said. In a meeting of […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Domestic violence task force reports milestones
Gathered to kick off its awareness month, the Austin/Travis County Domestic Violence Task Force reported important progress since the difficult days of 2020. After a record number of requests for protective orders during the pandemic – and a record number of cases pending – the court now has the fewest cases pending in recent history, […]