Travis County Tax Office
Celia Israel was proudly elected Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector in 2024 and is on a mission of public service to deliver a government that works for all of us.
Celia moved to Austin from El Paso in the summer of 1982 to attend the University of Texas and become the first in her family to graduate college. She credits her campaign organizing and work in the Ann Richards administration for her firm belief in serving with a sense of humor and pragmatic approaches to policy making.
Celia has since served our community on numerous non-profit boards centered on issues of equity, including Capital Area Food Bank and the Girls Empowerment Network. Currently, Celia serves on the board of Project Transitions helping those with HIV with housing solutions. In years past she has served the City of Austin on the Environmental Board, the Police Monitor Board, the 2011 Bond Advisory Commission, and the Mueller Redevelopment Advisory Committee.
Celia was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2014 where she represented Northeast Travis County for nearly a decade. During her time in the legislature, she carved an expertise in voting rights, transportation, and good government. Celia was named "Freshman of the Year" in her first term in the legislature and co-founded the LGBTQ Caucus in the Texas House. She was inducted into the Austin Women's Hall of Fame in 2018 and has been honored by organizations including Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network, Texas Democratic Women, and the Capital Area Progressive Democrats.
Celia recently practiced real estate and lives in Austin with her wife, Celinda, and their two dogs, Pippa and Libby.