Here are four government stories affecting the Lake Travis, Westlake and western Travis County areas.
1. Lakeway takes next steps on Butler Rough Hollow Park bond project
City leaders are preparing for work on Butler Rough Hollow Park to begin this summer, with the latest City Council action pinning down one of several project managers to come for the city’s parks bond projects.
A motion allowing the city manager to negotiate an up to $253,550 contract with Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers LLC was approved in a 5-1 decision at the March 16 City Council meeting, with council member Matt Sherman dissenting.
2. Travis County awarded $1M state grant to install flood warning sirens
Months after a historic flood hit Central Texas, Travis County has been awarded a $1 million state grant to install flood warning sirens.
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved an award agreement for at least $1 million in funding from the Texas Water Development Board at a March 24 meeting. The grant is a part of the state’s $50 million effort to fund the installation of flood warning siren systems in counties impacted by the July 4-5 flooding.
3. Bee Cave revises resident tree trimming rules as oak wilt season begins
Bee Cave City Council approved changes to its tree trimming ordinance for residents as oak wilt season begins in Central Texas.
Recent policy changes approved March 10 clarify that single-family residents are not required to get a city permit for tree trimming, but do not change rules prohibiting trimming from February to June.
4. Hays, South Austin nears first-ever ‘Stage 4 Emergency’ drought declaration
Well owners and residents from South Austin’s Rollingwood area to San Marcos could soon see the region’s worst drought declaration in almost 40 years as the area approaches 44 consecutive months in a drought, increasing costs and labor for well owners.