Twenty-eight county officials completed the prestigious Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum program during 2023.
Congratulations to the following officials on this notable accomplishment:
- Andrews County Commissioner Jim Waldrop
- Burnet County Commissioner Billy Wall
- Calhoun County Commissioner Joel Behrens
- Floyd County Commissioner Clint Bigham
- Floyd County Commissioner David Martinez
- Floyd County Commissioner Tanner Ray Smith
- Gray County Commissioner Jeff Haley
- Hale County Judge David Mull
- Hamilton County Commissioner Lloyd Huggins
- Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge
- Hutchinson County Commissioner Dwight Kirksey
- Jasper County Commissioner Seth Martindale
- Lampasas County Commissioner Lewis Bridges
- Lampasas County Commissioner Mark Rainwater
- Lavaca County Commissioner Kenneth Siegel
- Martin County Commissioner Koy Blocker
- Milam County Commissioner Art Neal
- Montague County Commissioner Mark Murphey
- Nacogdoches County Commissioner Sandy McCorvey
- San Augustine County Commissioner Joey Holloway
- San Patricio County Judge David Krebs
- Scurry County Commissioner Shawn McCowen
- Sutton County Commissioner Carl Teaff
- Trinity County Commissioner Tommy Park
- Waller County Judge Carbett “Trey” Duhon
- Webb County Commissioner Rosaura Tijerina
- Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra
- Wilson County Commissioner Gary Martin
Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum (CCAC) is a comprehensive educational program designed specifically for members of the Commissioners Court.
CCAC was adopted by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas in 1992 to provide curriculum for an advanced study in county government. The program is continually updated as foundational information provided in the original program is merged with material necessitated by legislative changes and the new and varied challenges faced by a rapidly growing state.
The development of CCAC is a combined effort of the CJCAT, the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the Texas Association of Counties.
“The Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum Program offers County Judges and Commissioners advanced training beyond the state mandated educational requirements,” explained Hays County Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, chairman of the CJCAT County Commissioners Education Committee. “The program helps us gain a greater understanding of every elected office, including duties and responsibilities, which equips us to provide the needed resources for services that benefit our county residents.”
CCAC provides a comprehensive course of study as follows:
- Phase I Orientation – 16 hours-plus
- Phase II Basics – 16 hours
- Phase III Advanced Instruction – 32 hours
Phase I Orientation courses currently are offered at the Seminar for Newly Elected County Judges and Commissioners, which is conducted every January following an election year. Attendance at this seminar has traditionally been limited and restricted to new Judges and Commissioners. Since it is not feasible to require County Judges and Commissioners to retroactively attend the orientation seminar, County Judges and Commissioners who assumed office prior to Jan. 1, 1995, are permitted to substitute 16 hours of other approved instruction for the orientation course.
Phase II County Government Basics includes instruction concerning the duties and responsibilities of all county officers and departments. Phase III includes advanced instruction in the functions of county government. These courses are offered at the annual County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas regional and state conferences and the annual V.G. Young Institute of County Government School for County Commissioners Courts.
The courses included in the Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum program are noted by a special blue logo on each Conference Agenda published in County Progress Magazine.
