Travis County Commissioners Court
June 19, 2007
Item 1
Number one is a public hearing to receive comments regarding the revised fee schedule for participation under the balcones canyonlands conservation plan - shared vision for a period of two years.
>> move to open the public hearing.
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. With the Commissioners eckhardt and Gomez absent for the entire meeting.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. Jennifer brown with the Travis County natural resources. I just wanted to -- to briefly go over what the -- what the fees are for the bccp. We collect fees for mitigation through our
>> [indiscernible] increment for fish and wildlife service. They were originally set in 1996 and encouraged participation, the fees were reduced in 1998 and we have looked at them every year since then.
>> [indiscernible] has recommended new fee structure for this coming year and then the following year after that. And we are here to talk about the cac's recommendations.
>> judge and Commissioners, wearing the hat of the chair of the citizen advisory committee to the bccp, citizen advisory committee has annually reviewed and made recommendations to you and your partners in the bcp with regard to these fees. Last year was the first year in -- in several, in fact in -- from '98 until -- until 2006, the fees remained at a reduced rate. They were increased last year by -- our recommendation and we are again this year recommending an increase in the overall schedule. One new piece we are also recommending two years worth of fees. This we feel will give the market sufficient information for planning purposes and won't be a shock to the market because we are actually recommending increases not only in the next 12 months, but in the 12 months following. Be happy to answer any questions.
>> we are legally authorized to do that. Set fees for the -- for the upcoming fiscal year and then the following?
>> that's correct, judge. Kevin connally Travis County natural resources. The fees and fee structures were set out between the interlocal, between the city of Austin and Travis County that went along with the issuance of the federal habitat conservation plan in 1996. The reason this item has to come before court, it's also going before city council, is because this will -- this represents an amendment to that interlocal agreement. Any time we too anything that alters that interlocal we have to bring it before the court as mr. -- mr.
>> [indiscernible] stated, the citizens advisory committee reviewed this, has made their recommendations, they made those recommendations to the coordinating committee. Commissioner Daugherty and mayor wynn on the coordinating committee approved those recommendations, authorization by Commissioners court and city council.
>> we haven't heard the name of a laureate or that a lawyer was consulted.
>> certainly Travis County attorney staff is aware of and familiar with this. This has been a routine action each year for the last 10 years since 1998 when it first -- the first fee reductions were --
>> I was going to say I don't recall us setting a fee for the next fiscal year and one two years fiscal years removed also. If the lawyer said we can do it, it's fine with me. We will do it today, if there's a problem we will bring it back --
>> the difference here, this was at the recommendation of the citizens advisory committee. This was the first year that they have recommended a two year program instead of having to come back annually. They felt that given current market conditions that providing some level of certainty to -- to the development community --
>> how many assistant county attorneys on the advisory committee?
>> there are no -- none -- no attorneys on the advisory committee, sir.
>> really make sure that the county attorney's office approves of this after we do it today.
>> yes.
>> if there's any problem bring it back. Now, did we get industry input?
>> yes. With the citizens advisory committee is actually composed of -- of selection of folks from -- appointed by the county, by the city of Austin, by other bcp partners. Cynthia will -- he will she to the make up of the committee.
>> it includes folks who represent buyers of this land and they participated in the decision.
>> whatever objections you heard you tried to address as best you could.
>> yes, sir.
>> right.
>> okay.
>> Commissioner?
>> I might add that the committee's vote was unanimous with one abstention and that was an abstention by one of the representatives of the -- of the private sector developer community. But input was had by all and there was no voiced objection to these recommended increases.
>> okay. Would anyone like to give testimony during this public hearing? If so, please come forward.
>> move to close the public hearing.
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. This will be action item no. 8 on today's agenda. Thank you very much.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 8:59 PM