County amends HP contract

On Jan. 31, Travis County amended its economic development agreements with Hewlett-Packard about how the computer company set up data centers.

Part of the agreements required HP to create and grow its number of employees over several years at its Tandem Boulevard site near MoPac and Wells Branch Parkway and at its Ed Bluestein Boulevard site.

"Since signing the agreements, HP has shifted their plans whereby most of the workers are at the Tandem site," according to county documents. "If the requirements are combined, then HP has exceeded the employee requirements for both agreements. However, if they are not combined, they are not in compliance at the Ed Bluestein site."

The Commissioners Court voted 4–1 to average the total number of full-time employees, salaries and property value.

The court did not vote on a substandard road agreement in which the county, HP and neighbors would work together to fund improvements to Tandem Boulevard.

Commissioners preview 2013 county budget

The Travis County Commissioners Court looked at some early numbers and guidelines in its 2013 budget process. Leroy Nellis, acting Planning and Budget Office county executive, said Feb. 14 that the county expects the tax rate to increase by 2.86 percent, from 48.55 cents per $100 of property valuation to 49.94 cents per $100.

A 2.86 percent rate increase would amount to a $29.96 tax increase for the average property owner with a homestead valued at $215,820 after exemptions. He said current economic forecasts are cautiously optimistic that the nation is now on a slow and steady path toward the end of the economic downturn.