Government
City of Austin charter election called off Thirteen proposed amendments to Austin’s city charter were put on hold following a legal challenge. What happened On Aug. 29, District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued a temporary injunc- tion against Austin’s charter amendment election. Gamble sided with plaintiffs who claimed City Council didn’t give proper public notice and violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when calling the proposition election during the August budget adoption. The removal of the 13 items from the Nov. 5 election was confirmed just ahead of local deadlines to finalize ballots. A city spokesperson said staff took responsibil- ity for the meeting posting process that prompted the lawsuit.
WilCo approves funds for 3 child welfare positions Williamson County will add three additional Child Protective Services positions in an effort to improve functionality and meet the county’s needs. In a 3-2 vote Sept. 17, the majority of county com- missioners voted to add the roles, which will cost $240,200 combined and will last for the next year, with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. How we got here CPS is struggling to fill positions throughout Texas to keep up with case demands, about 200 of which are in Williamson County, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. She said the county previously approved $200,000 to help with legal costs and outside attorneys. Covey said she hopes the new positions cut down the number of hours billed to the county. In five to six years, the state might privatize aspects of CPS, and some staff additions would be
Adding positions Williamson County commissioners voted 3-2 to add the following CPS positions: Legal Assistant II, $78,200 annually Improve functionality by assisting case workers with paperwork Two care coordinators, $81,000 annually each Contracted through Bluebonnet Trails Community Services
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
part of the privatization process, Covey said. On the other hand County Judge Bill Gravell and Precinct 1 Com- missioner Terry Cook voted against adding the positions. Gravell said he didn’t recall any ARPA positions previously added that weren’t eventually full-time positions coming out of the county’s fund, and he questioned where to pull the money from when ARPA funds run out. Covey said commissioners can discuss more permanent funding options when the time comes.
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