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Travis County court directs $14.8 million to flood recovery projects
Summary
Commissioners unanimously approved an automatic budget adjustment of $14,832,579 to Transportation & Natural Resources for low water crossings, on‑call emergency contracts, emergency equipment, and dam and bridge inventories tied to July 2025 flood recovery.
Travis County Commissioners Court on Aug. 4 unanimously directed staff to move $14,832,579 from the county's disaster emergency response reserve into Transportation and Natural Resources to fund immediate flood‑recovery and resiliency work.
Commissioner Howard moved the measure and Commissioner Shea seconded; the court voted in favor without objection. The funds are earmarked for a set of projects TNR identified as priorities after the July 2025 floods, including low‑water crossing repairs, on‑call emergency contracts, emergency earth‑moving equipment and temporary/ rental bridges, and dam and bridge inventory and risk assessments.
Chuck Brotherton, County Executive for Emergency Services, told the court that the disaster response reserve was established in the FY2026 budget at $42,252,976 to cover expenses related to the July 2025 disaster and to better prepare for future events. “Commissioner's court established the disaster response reserve at $42,252,976 in the FY 2026 adopted budget,” Brotherton said during the briefing.
Public works staff and Transportation and Natural Resources representatives outlined project estimates and priorities, noting some line‑item amounts remain preliminary because multiple projects are still being bid or are in design. The court also directed the Planning and Budget Office to update reimbursement figures the county expects to receive (including potential FEMA reimbursements) and to present budget adjustments reflecting reimbursement flows.
Judge Andy Brown said the court would first consult with counsel in executive session about a pending lawsuit that could affect the county’s ability to spend certain reserve funds, then return to consider funding directions. After that legal briefing, the court approved the $14.8 million transfer and related directions to staff.
The action formalizes near‑term spending to address the county’s most urgent flood‑related infrastructure needs; staff said additional budget requests may follow as numbers are refreshed and as projects progress through procurement and design.
