Consider and take appropriate action to amend the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Austin and Travis County for consultant services to renew the US Fish and Wildlife Service Incidental Take Permit (#TE788841-2) and the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan. (Commissioner Shea)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Initially approved by the Commissioners Court on July 15, 2025, this Interlocal Agreement established the responsibilities of the City of Austin and Travis County (collectively, the “Parties”) to procure, cost-share, and administer a contract for consulting services to advise the Parties on renewing and modernizing the 1996 Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) and corresponding Incidental Take Permit (“Permit” #TE788841-2) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.<br><br data-pasted="true">Actual costs for the consulting services exceeded the initial cost estimate. Therefore, an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement is necessary to revise each Party’s financial contribution and the process for cost sharing. Under the amendment, costs shall not exceed $1,025,000 per Party, an increase from the original estimate of $650,000 per Party. Additionally, the City of Austin will provide its share of the costs through partial upfront installments rather than a single upfront payment.<br><br>