Texas County Progress

The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas

Feature Story

Do’s and Don’ts of County Purchasing 

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   When it comes to county government purchasing, the statutes contain many requirements that must be met. These requirements are scattered throughout the statutes – not just in the section known as the County Purchasing Act – and change each time the Texas Legislature meets. It is the duty of every county official to follow these laws. Many counties rely on procurement … [Read more...] about Do’s and Don’ts of County Purchasing 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension District Training Conferences

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One-Day Sessions Provide Commissioners Continuing Education

Nine Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts will offer in-service training for members of Commissioners Court during the months of  November-December. The District Conferences provide varying amounts of continuing education credits for County Commissioners; County Judges are also  welcome to attend. Application has been made to the County Judges and Commissioners … [Read more...] about Texas A&M AgriLife Extension District Training Conferences

Mentally Ill Inmates

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One Family’s Hope and Heartbreak

     In many counties, the jail has become a de facto mental institution, housing mentally ill inmates awaiting due process without their medications and/or life-sustaining therapies. The situation is lose-lose-lose; the inmate, fellow inmates and jail staff, and the taxpayers are all affected. The statistics have been quoted for so long that one wonders if they have lost their … [Read more...] about Mentally Ill Inmates

Challenges To Our County Jails

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     When I was appointed six years ago by Gov. Greg Abbott to be the chairman of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (the Commission), I had no idea of the complexities of what this position involved. I knew as a County Judge that you did not want your county jail to be out of compliance with the Commission. I did not realize the challenges Texas counties faced to stay in … [Read more...] about Challenges To Our County Jails

Servant Leadership

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     Earlier this year, Hunt County Commissioner Steve Harrison received the Humanitarian Award from the Commerce Chamber of Commerce. Harrison was honored for serving first responders and others who struggled during last year’s ice storm, specifically delivering pallets of water bottles to first responders and starting a program to give firewood to the less fortunate, elderly, … [Read more...] about Servant Leadership