CJCAT Convenes in Galveston for Annual Conference
Nearly 300 County Judges and Commissioners convened in Galveston for the 103rd Annual Conference of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, where officials discussed the latest issues affecting grassroots government.
Keynote speaker Alex Weber, television host and competitor on American Ninja Warrior, opened the four-day meeting with multiple references to the conference theme, Above and Beyond. Weber applauded local officials for their commitment, and he shared foundational leadership principles including:
- Decide what you want and claim it with conviction.
- Unhook whatever latch is holding you back.
- Show up with both hunger and humility.
- In one gesture of care and connection, you can change someone’s life.
- When something seems off on your team, ask yourself if you can be the one to reset with care.
Weber’s inspirational presentation was followed by another champion of leadership, State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, whose experience as a former Travis County Judge and service as a former County Commissioner have given her a unique insight into the need for above-and-beyond leadership at the Capitol.
“Right now, you are not getting state representation,” Eckhardt declared. “I need local government to come to state government. We need more people who know what state government looks like, who know what it takes.”
CJCAT Senior General Counsel Jim Allison and CJCAT Program Director Rick Thompson followed Eckhardt at the podium, asking County Judges and Commissioners to continue their exemplary job of taking local concerns to their state partners and explaining county government to their constituents.
“Don’t assume that everyone understands what an unfunded mandate is,” Thompson cautioned. “Take the time to explain what unfunded mandates mean to your county.”
“We have to tell the county story,” Allison emphasized, “and we have to tell it loud and clear. We have to take our story from the people to the Capitol.”
The conference continued with presentations on a wide spectrum of topics including treatment courts for veterans, cybersecurity, tax abatements, and county roads/strategic planning.
Several county officials offered their expertise and shared firsthand how their counties have navigated local issues. For example, growth coming to Ellis County has taught Commissioner Lane Grayson the value of long-range planning.
“We target areas where we anticipate growth, weight, and traffic,” Grayson explained. In addition, Ellis County maintains a “help me fund” that individual precincts can pull from when needs arise along the way.
“We work together,” Grayson summarized, “and one of the things that has helped us the most is strategic planning.”
Wise County Commissioner Kevin Burns described a similar shared approach where Commissioners send employees from one precinct to another to assist. Wise County also maintains a “right of way fund” Commissioners can tap on an as-needed basis.
When it comes to planning, Burns suggested working with state and federal partners with regard to surplus materials and aid for off-system bridges.
“Take advantage of these opportunities,” Burns emphasized. Specific information can be accessed through Texas Department of Transportation district engineers, https://www.txdot.gov/about/districts/district-engineers.html.
The Closing General Session included another reference to the conference theme, where panelists encouraged members of Commissioners Courts to go above and beyond to ensure a productive working relationship with the sheriff and jail administrators.
“Know your jail and walk your jail,” advised Brandon Wood, executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. “As you are trying to help with your county jail operations, it is important that you know your jail,” he repeated for emphasis.
Wood asked for a show of hands on how many have visited and toured their own jails, and he encouraged those who haven’t to make it a top priority.