Texas has a very diverse landscape, and the Panhandle’s fire season is basically 365 days a year, said Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin. Hutchinson County is well aware of the devastation fire can cause. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which started in Hutchinson County on Feb. 26, 2024, eventually burned more than 1 million acres across the Panhandle making it the largest … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Regulating Fireworks
CJCAT
Welcome to County Government
I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new County Judges and County Commissioners to a very meaningful job. It will not always be easy, but I do guarantee that in spite of the challenges, it is rewarding. You may have your day all planned out, but before you know it unforeseen things may happen, and your day may not go as planned. Just go with the flow and do … [Read more...] about Welcome to County Government
Be Ready to Engage in the Legislative Process
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Texas Legislature will begin its 89th Regular Session, which will last 140 days. There will be a variety of issues that will be presented, and from these issues approximately 7,000-8,000 bills will be filed. As a county official, you need to form relationships with your representative and senator so you can express to them how you feel about matters … [Read more...] about Be Ready to Engage in the Legislative Process
Resolution Spotlight: Elections and Countywide Polling
Countywide precincts, or vote centers, allow voters the option of voting at any of the countywide polling places on Election Day instead of their assigned precinct polling location. A pilot program to test vote centers was authorized by the 79th Legislature’s House Bill 758. Vote centers have been reauthorized by the Texas Legislature ever since. Lubbock County participated … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Elections and Countywide Polling
The Eroding Foundation of County Government
When the current state constitution was adopted in 1876, Texas was a rural, frontier state. With limited communication and transportation systems, a centralized government was not feasible, and county government was a necessity. The framers relied upon locally elected officials to provide essential governmental services, such as law enforcement, courts, public records, roads, … [Read more...] about The Eroding Foundation of County Government