Travis County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Travis County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Opioid Crisis and Harm Reduction
Drug toxicity is still the top cause of accidental death here — 301 deaths last year, a third involving fentanyl. Deaths are down sharply two years running, but a new synthetic opioid has appeared locally, and EMS is seeing overdoses needing up to six doses of Narcan.
Employee Healthcare Costs and Benefit Changes
County employee health claims ran way over budget — another $3.56 million was transferred to close out 2026, on top of $13.7 million in July. Premiums are going up 8% next year with plan changes to control costs.
Proposed Manor Wastewater Treatment Plant & Wilbarger Creek Greenway
The county is eyeing 98 acres the City of Manor has reserved for 20 years for a regional wastewater plant — land Manor says its growth depends on. Manor officials and residents packed the room to ask the court not to condemn it; the court took no action.
Regional Wildfire Preparedness and Burn Ban Enforcement
The burn ban stays on through early December because eastern Travis County is still short on rainfall, even after recent showers.
Affordable Housing Availability and Federal Funding Cuts
The Housing Authority and Strategic Housing Finance Corporation reported on portfolio occupancy, new housing units under construction, and expanded tenant protections.
Public Defender Office Permanent Board Bylaws
Community members and public defenders debated the proposed bylaws and board composition for the Travis County Public Defender's Office, raising concerns about community representation.
Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Visitor Center Project
The county approved a nearly $40 million contract to build the BCP Visitor Center and trails, moving forward with a multi-year conservation project.
FY 2027 County Budget Adoption
Central Health presented its draft Fiscal Year 2027 budget, highlighting significant investments in mental health services, specialty care, and preventative primary care to help vulnerable residents avoid costly emergency room visits.
Senate Bill 3 Flood Warning and Monitoring Compliance
The county is actively repairing low water crossings and park infrastructure following heavy rains and flooding from a recent weather system.
Central Health Expansion and System Integration
Central Health and its partners updated the court on expanded health access, record patient numbers, and integrated services for low-income residents.
Law Enforcement Technology and Axon Contract Consolidation
Staff proposed a bundled 8-year Axon contract costing $97 million to provide body cameras, tasers, and digital evidence storage for law enforcement and justice agencies.
Employee Compensation and Market Study
The county is moving forward with a comprehensive pay package that includes a 3% across-the-board raise, MIT living wage adjustments, and compression pay fixes to help retain county workers.
Private Attorney Shortage and Indigent Defense
Community Legal Services briefed the court on severe staffing shortages among private defense attorneys and proposed expanding the public defender office to maintain constitutional representation.
Mental Health and Jail Diversion Programs
Through the COSSUP grant and county-funded navigation programs, the county is providing medication-assisted treatment and peer support inside the jail and continuing care for 90 days post-release. This approach helps reduce overdoses and keep people from cycling back into jail.
Frontline Worker Pay Compression and Cost of Living
Union members and staff advocated for a 5% cost-of-living adjustment and living wage increases, while budget officials presented preliminary compensation reserve figures.
Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Funding
Travis County allocated $14.8 million to address low water crossings, bridge assessments, dam inventories, and emergency equipment following severe flooding.
Harvest Trauma Recovery Center Funding Advocacy
Numerous community members and staff testified passionately during public communication to request ongoing county funding for the Harvest Trauma Recovery Center, warning that the loss of financial support would devastate mental health and violence intervention services.
Raising Travis County Child Care Initiative
Travis County leaders and community partners highlighted ongoing efforts and multidisciplinary teamwork to prevent child abuse, support vulnerable families, and provide specialized care.
Dog's Head Property Land Development Permitting Interlocal Agreement
Residents and environmental advocates strongly opposed the proposed Dog's Development and associated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, citing lack of transparency, potential environmental damage to the Colorado River, and heavy public subsidies for private developers.
New World Screwworm Monitoring and Public Health
Travis County officials are monitoring the spread of the New World screwworm following recent state cases. The county extended a disaster declaration and coordinated with health authorities to educate livestock owners and residents.
County Debt Issuance and Refunding
Travis County is planning a $138.8 million certificates of obligation bond issuance, which includes $12 million to purchase a new facility for the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace and Constable. Commissioners also adjusted voter-approved bond schedules and scrubbed prior year accounts for savings.
Expiring Adult Behavioral Health Investments
Three core county-funded behavioral health programs—jail-based navigation, Assisted Outgoing Treatment, and the ACT team expansion—are facing funding expirations at the end of the fiscal year. Commissioners discussed the challenge of preserving these high-ROI programs amid tight budget constraints.
Immigration Enforcement and Local Law Enforcement Coordination
Numerous residents testified during public comment expressing deep fear and anxiety over ICE detentions and urging the commissioners to audit the Sheriff's Office budget regarding federal cooperation and compliance with state laws.
LCRA 2032 Water Management Plan Comments
The county approved submitting comments to the LCRA urging them to adopt stricter drought triggers, naturalized flow models, and more frequent update cycles to protect dwindling central Texas water supplies.
Peyton Gin Apartments Affordable Housing Financing
Travis County issued $40 million in housing revenue bonds to finance 176 affordable apartment units restricted to households earning 60% or less of the area median income.
Austin-Travis County EMS Operational Review and Funding
The county renewed its vital EMS partnership with Austin, ensuring 48 ambulances and specialized response teams operate seamlessly across city and county lines.
Winter Storm Emergency Preparedness and Response
County departments reviewed their response to the recent severe winter ice storm, highlighting road de-icing, public sheltering, and emergency communications.
Barton Creek Plat Cancellation & Environmental Standards
Stratus Properties successfully requested a total plat cancellation for Barton Creek subdivision sections, allowing them to exit the City of Austin's ETJ and remove strict Austin environmental and water quality rules (SOS standards) in favor of county regulations. Environmental groups warned this could increase impervious cover and reduce water protections.
Starflight Fleet Replacement Program
Travis County is beginning the process to replace its three aging STAR Flight rescue and medical helicopters with an estimated $60 million investment. Officials noted that maintenance costs and downtime have spiked, making a fleet replacement necessary to maintain reliable air ambulance, firefighting, and rescue services.