Who sets the salaries of elected officials and county employees? REFERENCE POINTS: Local Government Code Chapter 152 Attorney General Opinion JM-947 Attorney General Opinion GA-638 Attorney General Opinion GA-639 TALKING POINTS: During the budget process, questions often arise concerning the salaries of county employees and elected officers. Under … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Setting County Salaries
Collin County Addresses Inmate Care With Specialized Mental Health, Medical Facility
“With significant percentages of inmates requiring mental health services, detox protocols, or chronic disease management, expanding our infirmary from 24 cells to 125 beds, with additional future capacity, ensures we can provide appropriate, specialized care in a facility designed for modern public health standards. It’s a strategic investment that strengthens both our … [Read more...] about Collin County Addresses Inmate Care With Specialized Mental Health, Medical Facility
Refugio County Breaks Ground on New Courthouse
“Today, we begin writing the next chapter. This restoration will give future generations a courthouse that honors where we’ve been and inspires where we’re headed…a building worthy of the community that it serves.” Refugio County Judge Gigi Poynter – Groundbreaking Ceremony, Jan. 20, 2026 Some nine years after taking a direct hit from Hurricane Harvey, Refugio County … [Read more...] about Refugio County Breaks Ground on New Courthouse
Aransas County Celebrates New Courthouse
Hurricane Harvey: From Heartbreak To Healing
On Aug. 23, 2017, hundreds of county officials gathered in Austin for a legislative conference. That same day, Gov. Greg Abbott pre-emptively declared a State of Disaster in 30 Texas counties “in anticipation of Tropical Depression Harvey making landfall in the Gulf Coast region.” Two days later, Harvey had morphed into a daunting hurricane, and Abbott “urged all Texans to … [Read more...] about Aransas County Celebrates New Courthouse
The Future of Rural Texas
With the advent of motor vehicles and mechanized agriculture, the future of rural Texas changed drastically in the last century. Previously, the agrarian economy encouraged rural population growth with small regional towns. Labor-intensive farming and ranching required a large, physically fit labor force. The lack of development of large-scale manufacturing and transportation … [Read more...] about The Future of Rural Texas