County commissioners

  • County judge: Samuel T. Biscoe, 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 2.700, Austin, 512-854-9555
  • Precinct 1: Ron Davis, 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 2.200, Austin, 512-854-4897
  • Precinct 2: Sarah Eckhardt, 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 2.300, Austin, 512-854-9222
  • Precinct 3: Gerald Daugherty, 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 2.400, Austin, 512-854-9333
  • Precinct 4: Margaret Gmez, 700 Lavaca St., Ste. 1510, Austin, 512-854-9444

Meetings

The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. every Tuesday.

Travis County Administration Building, 700 Lavaca St., Austin, 512-845-9020, www.co.travis.tx.us

Terms and compensation

The Travis County judge and commissioners serve four-year terms. The judge earns $114,925, and the commissioners earn $88,812–$95,595 annually.

Big decisions made in 2012

  • Economic incentives approved — The court approved deals with Apple Inc. and HID Global before crafting an official policy that includes a wage floor and incentives for hiring economically disadvantaged workers.
  • New Civil and Family Courthouse planned — The court studied options for building the $200 million–$300 million project. The county also sought to increase capacity in civil and criminal courts.
  • Aquifer/water issues — New groundwater regulations were intended to manage future demand. The county convened a water supply forum and crafted the Land, Water and Transportation Plan.
  • Wildfire response improved — The court approved funds to create a regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan and added a new firefighter aircraft.
  • Tax changes implemented — The county increased the over 65/disabled property tax exemption and capped historic property tax exemptions at $2,500.
  • Green space preserved — The county negotiated with building material supplier TXI for the purchase of nearly 500 acres of parkland and worked with the Hill Country Conservancy to preserve Brockenbrough Ranch.

Top issues for 2013

  • Budgeting — Commissioner Margaret Gomez said the county must balance providing services with appropriate taxation. The commissioner wants to make sure residents can afford to live in the county.
  • Legislative session — The county may have to absorb new responsibilities as a result of legislation passed in the current legislative session, Gomez said. The county will need to factor those tasks into its budgeting.
  • Water supply — Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt said that Travis County will partner with surrounding counties and the private sector to address managing groundwater in a sustainable manner.
  • Workforce training — The county will continue to support job training initiatives and educational opportunities for residents, Eckhardt said.
  • Transportation — Transportation, roadways and growth continue to be a long-standing issue for the county. Officials will look to partner with public and private organizations for pedestrian, bike, bus and rail facilities connections to population centers, Eckhardt said.