Texas County Progress
The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
Since its creation in 1853, Madison County has seen its fair share of change. Five courthouses served the county during its first 114 years, culminating with the classic courthouse that burned on Mother's Day in 1967. That fire ultimately made way for the courthouse that stands at the center of Madisonville today, and, in many ways, it’s fitting that a county with such a long … [Read more...] about Madison County Courthouse
KEY QUESTION: Do Commissioners Courts have animal control authority? MAIN REFERENCE POINT: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 TALKING POINTS: Counties and cities are not required to provide animal control services. Counties and cities may adopt the provisions of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 and implement rules or ordinances to prevent stray … [Read more...] about Animal Control
*** Click here for the audio version.*** The December 2025 column warned of the coming reduction in funding for federal health care programs. It outlined the likely impact on county indigent health care programs and rural health care availability. Unfortunately, that funding reduction has arrived. Under Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code, a county without a public hospital … [Read more...] about Federal Health Care Funding Cuts
*** Click here for the audio version.*** In his 1913 autobiography, Theodore Roosevelt referenced a quote from Squire Bill Widener of Virginia that remains popular to this day: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Over the years, this quote has been rephrased in various ways, often issued as a challenge: “Do the best you can with the tools … [Read more...] about Explaining County Authority
Callahan County is on the homestretch of a decades-long restoration journey that pays homage to the past while preparing the county for the future. Voelcker & Dixon Architects & Engineers of Wichita Falls designed the 1929 Callahan County Classical Revival Courthouse. As of press time, the county was making plans to celebrate the reopening of the county … [Read more...] about Callahan County Courthouse Restoration
