As county officials across Texas continue the daily work of serving our communities, the actions taken in Austin during each legislative session have a direct impact on our ability to do that job effectively. Counties are on the front lines of delivering essential services. Because of this, the decisions made by the Texas Legislature can either strengthen or strain our ability … [Read more...] about What Counties Need From the Legislature
Words of Wisdom
Many of you, our wise and learned County Judges and County Commissioners, have announced your upcoming retirement. For years, and in some cases decades, you have found ways to lend a helping hand. You have mentored new officials, shared valuable lessons during conferences, and served as subject matter experts for us here at County Progress. De Witt County Judge Daryl Fowler … [Read more...] about Words of Wisdom
Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding
County governments provided approximately 73 percent of the total funding for juvenile probation departments in FY 2024, according to the 2025 Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Rider Report to the Governor and Legislative Budget Board. This percentage has historically been as high as 75 percent, confirmed Windy Johnson, program manager for the Conference of Urban … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding
Groundwater Issues for Counties
As those who lived through the drought of record in the 1950s can attest, there are three certainties in Texas: Death, Taxes, and Drought. When rain is scarce, reservoirs evaporate and available groundwater becomes an imperative. It is also clear that the present rate of growth in urban areas cannot be sustained with surface water. With unlimited finances, the cities can afford … [Read more...] about Groundwater Issues for Counties
Maverick County Courthouse
Along the banks of the Rio Grande, Maverick County tells a story that is not confined to the past, but rather is lived every day. From its earliest roots shaped by indigenous cultures and Spanish exploration to its role as a vital trade corridor along the U.S.–Mexico border, the county stands as a true crossroads of history. Maverick County, established in 1856 and organized … [Read more...] about Maverick County Courthouse