Vote centers considered for November general election

On April 17, the Travis County Commissioners Court heard public comment on an option to use vote centers for the November general election.

Vote centers allow registered voters to cast their ballots at any participating location in the county, not just at their assigned precinct.

In a letter to the court, County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir wrote that during the county's trial run, 32 percent of Election Day voters, or 9,516 people, voted outside of their precinct.

Court appoints group to help review courthouse plans

The Travis County Commissioners Court plans to appoint a citizens group to recommend the best way to build the new civil and family courthouse.

At its April 24 meeting, the Commissioners Court accepted a feasibility study from consultants Ernst & Young by a 3–2 vote. Commissioners Margaret Gomez and Karen Huber opposed.

The study states that the courthouse could be built in one of three ways.

The design/bid/build style—the traditional way of building—is estimated to cost $293 million. A design/build style, in which the contractor both designs and builds the building, may cost $284 million. A public-private partnership would cost $269 million, but would jump to $404 million if a proposed, privately financed office tower is included.

A committee of real estate, law and finance experts will review the study and recommend the best plan, said Roger Jefferies, Justice and Public Safety Division county executive. He said the review process should be done by mid-June at the latest.

From there, the Commissioners Court may form a larger advisory committee that would work with the county throughout the life of the project.