With the 87th Legislative Session in the rearview mirror, officials gathered at the CJCAT Annual State Conference in Round Rock could not help but acknowledge a sense of weariness. Afterall, local decision-making has been challenged by lawmakers during the last two sessions, creating a tiring offense/defense mentality. However, when it comes to Commissioners Courts, there is no rest for the weary. No one understands that better than a County Judge or County Commissioner, and State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt has served as both. From 2006-2013, she served as Travis County Commissioner representing 300,000 people. From 2015-2020, Eckhardt served as the Travis County Judge representing 1.3 million people. She was elected senator in 2020.
“You all are the point of the spear for the resurgence and belief in good government,” Eckhardt told some 300 officials gathered at the 99th Annual State Conference conducted in Williamson County Oct. 11-14.
“Local government is where good government is alive and well and being practiced with pride!” Eckhardt exclaimed. The conference theme, Leading with Confidence, Serving with Competence, is part of the reason why.
Two fellow legislators echoed Eckhardt’s sentiments, praising members of Commissioners Court for continuing to set the example when it comes to service and leadership.
“No one had a tougher job this year than local officials,” observed State Sen. Kel Seliger.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman urged officials to help “keep the hatchet from coming down on local government.”
The trio of lawmakers took part in the Opening Session, sharing their perspectives on local government and the last legislative session, taking questions, and offering encouragement and suggestions to those protecting taxpayers at the grassroots level.
Rep. Garnet Coleman
“I think we need to keep our mind on the things that are important, such as mental health.”
Sen. Kel Seliger
“Local control is on life support. You are part of the solution. Please do not let candidates get away until you ask them what they think about local control.”
Sen. Sarah Eckhardt
“Help us by lobbying! The state legislature tried to silence you. It is so necessary to kill the gag order on local government. When candidates come your way, quiz them on local control.”
Jim Allison, general counsel to the CJCAT, moderated the session on Working With the Legislature. When introducing Coleman, chair of the House Committee on County Affairs, Allison referred to his “4 C’s of Public Service” which include Curiosity, Courtesy, Commitment, and Courage.
Allison praised the lawmakers on the panel and the officials in the audience for their attention to these important attributes.
“You can’t lead until you learn, and the learning goes on forever,” Allison emphasized.
Toward the end of the four-day continuing education conference, several dozen officials were honored for going the extra mile when it comes to learning, completing a comprehensive course of study.
“The Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum (CCAC) program offers County Judges and Commissioners advanced training beyond the state-mandated educational requirements,” described 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 their duties and responsibilities, which equips us to provide the needed resources for services that benefit our county residents.”
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CCAC was adopted by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas in 1992 and 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.
CCAC provides a comprehensive course of study as follows:
- Phase I Orientation – 16 hours
- Phase II Basics – 16 hours
- Phase III Advanced Instruction – 32 hours
Almost 700 officials have completed the program since its inception. Certificates of Completion were presented at the Luncheon Banquet during the conference. (See awardees, page ?)
Following the CCAC Completion Ceremony, the 2021-22 slate of officers took their installation oaths. The membership applauded 2020-21 President Ben Zeller, Victoria County Judge, for his years of service and welcomed the new leadership team.
The 100th Annual Conference of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas will take place Oct. 3-6, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cedar Creek, Bastrop County.