Commissioners approve eminent domain for Spicewood Springs crossing and several routine county actions; direct staff to share Central Health policy drafts

Travis County Commissioners Court on Feb. 4 unanimously approved a set of motions including an eminent‑domain resolution for the Spicewood Springs low‑water crossing, a temporary traffic detour for construction on Siesta Shores Drive, reassignment of a housing finance carryforward designation, and other routine corporation actions. The court also directed county staff to share draft financial‑policy changes with Central Health staff and return with the materials for approval.

Judge Andy Brown read a special consent resolution authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire fee simple title to approximately 41,629 square feet (parcels 1 and 2) owned by the City of Austin at 6315 and 5903 Spicewood Springs Road for the Spicewood Springs low‑water crossing project. Brown moved the resolution and Commissioner Howard seconded; the court "passes unanimously." The resolution text was read into the record as part of the consent agenda.

The court approved a temporary traffic detour and restriction on Siesta Shores Drive—from the intersection with Rod and Gun Club Road northeast for about 3,500 feet—scheduled to begin on or about March 3, 2025, and continue through Oct. 6, 2025, or until work is complete in Precinct 3. Brian Burke of Transportation & Natural Resources Public Works Engineering told the court staff had updated the traffic‑control plan, added signs and recommended flagging during the first 60 days; Commissioner Howard moved approval and Commissioner Shea seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Following an executive session that included legal briefings and other items, Commissioner Howard moved that county staff "put together the right team to share these draft policies with Central Health staff, and then bring them back to us to approve, as soon, you know, by the end of the month." Commissioner Shea seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The motion directs staff to coordinate with Central Health on proposed amendments to the court's financial policies regarding the Travis County Healthcare District (doing business as Central Health) and to return with the drafts for formal approval.

In the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) voting session, Christie Moffitt, assistant secretary for the corporations, said the Decker Lake Apartments developer will not be able to close on a $35,000,000 volume‑cap allocation by the Dec. 31, 2025 deadline. The HFC approved a reassignment resolution that allows carryforward designation 22CF002 (or a portion of it) to be reassigned to another project in the queue; Commissioner Trevillian moved approval and Commissioner Shea seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The Bee Cave Road District No. 1 session authorized the county treasurer to invest county funds; the motion passed unanimously. The corporations also approved minutes for the fiscal years and adjourned.

All motions recorded in the voting session were approved by unanimous voice/hand vote; the court recorded no roll‑call tallies.