Financing agreement for WildHorse Ranch approved
Commissioners unanimously approved a financing agreement between Travis County, the Travis County Development Authority and Titan Texas Development for the WildHorse Ranch public improvement district. The 1,500-acre residential and commercial development district is located near Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, 6620 Blue Bluff Road, Austin.
According to a presentation to at the meeting, the agreement establishes construction standards and reimbursement procedures. WildHorse Ranch public improvement district was created in 2016. At that time, approximately $12 million of construction for streets, water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage and the extension of a hike and bike trail were approved. Of this amount, $6,175,000 will be reimbursed to the developer, the presentation stated.
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt described WildHorse Ranch as the county’s “maiden voyage into public improvement districts.” Indeed, Travis County is likely to become the first in the state to use public improvement districts to add to its affordable housing stock.
Few actions taken regarding the county tax office
A Travis County Planning and Budget Office memo to commissioners requested a transfer of $78,432 of earmarked funds to the county tax office. Citing “immediate challenges in the motor vehicle division,” the memo said the tax office is facing staffing challenges and operational needs in the wake of alleged fraudulent activities that surfaced May 18.
The county’s four satellite offices remain closed at this time, and the tax office continues to operate with reduced staff.
To manage the increase in traffic and wait times at the main office, the Planning and Budget Office estimates county employees will work 66 overtime hours each week for the next four weeks, at a cost of $45,932 in overtime pay. The additional $17,500 has been requested to pay contracted temporary employees.
In executive session this afternoon, commissioners decided not to take action on the financial impacts related to the Tax Office Motor Vehicle division.
However, commissioners did delegate authority to the County Judge to terminate contractual relationships with Auto Title Service and Universal Auto Title Service, should that action be deemed necessary as a result of ongoing investigations.
