By Karen Huber
Travis County Pct. 3 Commissioner
If you’ve never visited Travis County’s web site, you’re in for a surprise. Not interested in County government? There’s more to this web site than you think.
So pick an afternoon when it’s too hot to do much of anything outside and check it out: http://www.co.travis.tx.us.
For starters, there are some great maps. Parks, voting precincts, roads (all of them.) emergency services and more — they’re there for your perusal.
Quick links to the most popular pages include a Law Library that is available to the public. Job postings for County job openings are kept current. Find out how to get a marriage license or sign up to receive notice of foreclosed properties — and what to do if you want to bid on them. Check out Commissioner Eckhardt’s appointees to various boards and commissions, etc. What a great thing to post. You’d be surprised how many appointments the Judge and Commissioners make. If you are interested in serving, send me an email. There’s a quick link on the Commissioner for Precinct 3 page.
I also encourage you to meander through the Health and Human Services Department (HHS). They have a wealth of information and resources for the community. If you don’t need their services, perhaps you’d like to volunteer to help one of their programs. Executive Manager Sherri Fleming and her department do a fabulous job providing the safety nets for those less fortunate. Other options under HHS: If you are a veteran, you may want to click on the Veteran’s Services link and see what’s available for you; or, if you like the outdoors, the Agricultural Extension Services conducts educational programs in the areas of family and consumer sciences, agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, 4-H, and youth programs. And, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Master Gardeners are teaching educational seminars beginning in August. It’s all there for you to discover.
Another great Health and Human Services program is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which funds housing, infrastructure and social services projects for residents with low and moderate income that live in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. In Precinct 3, Travis County is just completing upgrading roads in Apache Shores near Lakeway through use of a CDBG grant. Find out who qualifies and how to get a CDBG grant.
Moving on to another area, I find Sheriff Greg Hamilton’s link very educational and I continue to be amazed at all he and his department do in outreach to our communities. There are programs for those at risk, programs to educate and programs that do both. Check this one out: The Austin Film Festival and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office announce the 5th Annual Awareness PSA (Public Service Announcement) Contest highlighting Teen Dating Violence and Substance Abuse. The contest is open to all middle school or high school students in Travis County. The submission deadline is Dec. 17, 2010. What a great and fun summer project for some teens in the family.
Need a speaker for your club or organization? No need to go on a timely hunt, just check out the resources at Travis County. One of the best talks I’ve heard was by Don Ward, Director of Road Maintenance, talking about what it takes to keep our County roads maintained. He is interesting, lively and informative. Practically all departments have someone who can do a program about their work.
And of course, there is TV. You can watch Channel 17 on the cable or online and learn all kinds of things of interest. Tuesday court sessions are broadcast live or you can access them on the Internet via the Travis County website.
So go surfing on the Travis County web site and enjoy.