The existing Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse on Guadalupe Street was built in the 1930s. The existing Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse on Guadalupe Street was built in the 1930s.[/caption]

TravCo courthouse bond placed on ballot

On Aug. 18, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved placing a $287.3 million bond election on the Nov. 3 ballot. If voters approve it, funds will go toward a new civil and family courts complex. The court also voted Aug. 11 to lower the project’s overall budget from $291.6 million.

The existing courthouse was built in the 1930s. The court has been seeking ways to offset construction costs, including parking revenue and selling county-owned property, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said.

“We have a constitutional obligation to provide the capacity,” she said. “... If we are not successful in this proposal we will have to retool and look for other ways to provide the capacity. From where I stand today, I don’t see other options that are as effective or as efficient as what we are proposing today.”

Approval of the bond would increase annual taxes on an average home value of $325,000 by $40-$42.

WilCo could add 3 death investigators

Officials are hoping to add three death investigators to the county attorney’s office to offer relief from the rising number of death inquests.

The county does not have a medical examiner’s office so justices of the peace respond to scenes of death outside of a medical facility. The number of deaths are rising with the county’s population, said Bill Gravell, Precinct 3 justice of the peace.

Death investigators would respond to the scene of a death, gather medical records from hospitals, notify family members and authorize the body to be moved from the scene.

City Council highlights

  • Aug. 17: City staff presented a reinterpretation of existing parking requirements, which could make it easier for homeowners to operate accessory dwelling units.
  • Aug. 19: A proposal to remove fluoride from Austin’s water supply failed to pass two council committees and will not be heard by the full council.
  • Aug. 20: An application to rezone 11411 N. RM 620 from development reserve to multifamily residence with limited density was withdrawn Aug. 20 by the applicant, Azul 620.
  • Aug. 20: An application to rezone 14209 1/2 N. I-35 from commercial to multifamily housing was approved on first reading. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo voted for the first reading but said she is concerned the rezoning would be less restrictive and require fewer public improvements such as sidewalks.