The Travis County Commissioners Court has authorized the publication of a notice regarding its intention to issue certificates of obligation. This action, approved on March 3, 2026, allows the county to proceed with steps necessary for potential debt issuance.
According to the order, “The findings, definitions and recitations set out in the preamble to this Order (this ‘Order’) are found to be true and correct and are hereby adopted by the County Commissioners Court and made a part hereof for all purposes.” The order further directs that notice of intent will be published both in a local newspaper and continuously on the county’s website for at least 45 days before final authorization.
A meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 700 Lavaca Street in Austin. At that time, the court may authorize issuing one or more series of certificates not exceeding $138,875,000. These would be payable from ad valorem taxes and limited surplus revenues from the solid waste disposal system. The maximum maturity period is set at twenty years.
Funds raised through these certificates would support several projects: constructing and improving county roads—including bridges, utilities relocation, safety enhancements such as signalization improvements—park construction and improvement projects; renovations to existing buildings; acquisition or improvement of judicial and public safety facilities; purchase of vehicles and heavy equipment; as well as professional services related to these activities.
The estimated combined principal and interest required to pay off these certificates is $181,704,732.18 based on an assumed interest rate of 4.10%. The current outstanding tax-supported debt obligations total $1,073,375,000 with an overall repayment requirement of $1,403,943,078.
“The County Judge and other appropriate officials of the County…are authorized and directed to proceed with the preparation of a Preliminary Official Statement,” states the order. It also grants authority for preparation and approval of related offering documents within Securities Exchange Commission guidelines.
Travis County is governed by a Commissioners Court consisting of a county judge and four precinct commissioners (official website). With a population reaching approximately 1.2 million residents (official website), it manages public services across areas including parts of the Texas Hill Country (official website). The county oversees essential functions such as maintaining infrastructure like roads—potentially impacted by this new issuance—and operating parks used for recreation including hiking and biking (official website). Its stated values include equity, fairness, respect for residents’ needs along with financial sustainability (official website).
It was confirmed that all proceedings were conducted according to open meeting requirements under Texas law: “It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this Order was adopted was open to the public…”
The notice indicates market conditions could affect actual interest rates when bonds are issued.
For more information about Travis County’s operations or governance structure visit their official website.
