Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Travis County for intake and related services at the Travis County Central Intake Facility, including a provision regarding collaboration to improve the Class C magistration process, and exercising a renewal option to extend the agreement from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $16,318,399. Funding: $16,318,399 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Fund.
De
Lead Department
Management Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $16,318,399 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Fund as a non-departmental expense.
Prior Council Action:
September 25, 2025 - Council authorized negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for intake and related services at the Travis County Central Intake Facility from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with four one-year renewal options, for an amount not to exceed $16,138,702 for the initial term.
For More Information:
Ramón Batista, Assistant City Manager, 512-974-2200.
Additional Backup Information:
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office operates the Central Intake Facility at the Travis County Criminal Justice Center located at 500 West 10th Street. The Central Intake Facility is the location where individuals arrested by the Austin Police Department and other State and local law enforcement agencies are taken upon arrest for booking, identification, magistration, and other services. For many years, the City and Travis County have shared the costs of operating the Central Intake Facility through an interlocal agreement. As part of this arrangement, judges of the Austin Municipal Court conducted the magistrations of arrested individuals at the Central Intake Facility under authority provided in State law. In connection with the Counsel-at-First-Appearance program, Travis County assumed full responsibility for magistration services at the Central Intake Facility effective October 1, 2025.
The City and County are collaborating to refine the magistration process for people who are arrested for City ordinance and other Class C misdemeanor charges that are adjudicated by the Austin Municipal Court or the Downtown Austin Community Court.
A working group has been established to meet quarterly to review data on Class C arrests to ensure the process operates efficiently and fairly. Options to explore and develop include, but are not limited to, a more robust release packet for arrestees scheduled to appear in court later, keeping a City magistrate on call for City arrestees, and transferring individuals who have been arrested on the same case multiple times to the Austin Community Court for magistration. Following research by the working group, the parties have concluded that they cannot grant jurisdiction to Travis County magistrates to adjudicate City ordinance and other Class C misdemeanor cases.
The City and County may renew the Agreement for up to three additional years, through September 30, 2030. All renewals will require approval by Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court.
If approved by Council, this Agreement will be presented to the Travis County Commissioners Court for approval. The parties have agreed to a total cost of $16,318,399 as the City’s contribution to the costs of operating the Central Intake Facility for one year.