The Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce hosted a Candidate’s Forum and luncheon Aug. 9 at Pfluger Hall, where candidates for Travis County Commissioner’s Court Pct. 1 were present to take questions from the public. Democratic candidate Jeff Travillion and Republican candidate Pat McCord were present at the forum, and are running for the Precinct 1 slot that became available when incumbent Ron Davis decided to not seek re-election after 18 years in public service. Also on the ballot is Green Party candidate Ashley Gordon, who was not available to attend the forum. The two candidates fielded a variety of questions from the forum audience including several questions on the repair, maintenance and construction of Pflugerville area roads. Both candidates agreed that the current process by which roads requiring repair and maintenance are identified and tended to requires attention, and that the county should be more proactive in their plans when developing roads to support the growing community. “The county, not only in Pflugerville ETJ, but throughout Precinct 1 and some of the other precincts, has neglected their obligations to roads,” McCord said. “We are building a brand new high school, and less than 300 yards from the entrance of the high school, there is a one-lane bridge. [...] That, to me, is unacceptable.” Travillion said he served on the 2011 bond committee, and when he did so the committee reached out to city staffers and council. "I think that needs to be a regular practice," he said. "We need to be identifying things that are important. We need to talk to the school district every time a new school is planned and make sure that the roads to the facilities are properly taken care of." Continued growth and future plans throughout Precinct 1, which encompasses Pflugerville, and areas out to Manor and into South Austin were discussed, but questions from the public were focused on Pflugerville. One of the issues that the candidates differed on was whether or not to make Pflugerville part of the Austin Community College taxing district. Pflugerville is not incorporated in the ACC district, and residents who attend must pay out-of-district tuition. “ACC investing in our community is a reasonable expectation,” said Travillion who said he sees work-based learning as part of the future of Pflugerville and Precinct 1. McCord said he was not so sure that it is the right move, stating that he likes the idea of having ACC as part of Pflugerville, but sees a downside in the increase in taxes that would be required to support the school. Both candidates have lived in the Pflugerville area for more than 20 years and have served on a number of community boards and committees.