2025 North & East Texas Association Conference Highlights
Some 170 County Judges and Commissioners convened in Waco July 21-24 for the North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Annual Conference. The theme of Buckle Up was especially appropriate, as the first day of the conference saw lawmakers headed into a special legislative session.
Podium Highlights
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a former County Commissioner and County Judge who served 21 years in local government, did not mince words as she addressed officials on the first full day of the conference.
“It is a great calling, public service, and it is wonderful to practice it at the local level,” Eckhardt declared. “We are in desperate, desperate need for people at the state level who understand local government.”
Eckhardt addressed the ongoing efforts of some state leaders to “prohibit taxpayer-funded lobbying.”
“You are working 24/7, 365, and you don’t always have time to drive to Austin and wait for three hours to testify for three minutes!” Eckhardt exclaimed. “I need you to fight against this!”
She closed her comments by asking those thinking of retiring from local office to consider a run for state government.
“Come up to Austin and show the people of Texas what public service looks like!” Eckhardt urged with passion.
“This year’s theme, Buckle Up, could not be more timely,” observed Commissioner Ben Perry during his greeting on behalf of McLennan County. “The challenges we face as county officials, be they economic, environmental, technological, or social, require bold thinking and strong partnerships. I have no doubt that the conversations and insights shared during this conference will contribute to the decisions that we make for each of our counties.”
“In doing the work of the citizens, you don’t just look at the impact today, but you look at the impact five years from now,” observed former U.S. Rep. Kent Hance, also former chancellor of Texas Tech University, during his keynote address.
“We have had claims that have shut down counties for as long as three months, meaning back to pencil and paper,” reported Andrea Beard, liability claims program supervisor with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Risk Management Pool. Beard, pictured at right, and Misty Pahl, TAC claims litigation examiner, conducted an interactive class on cybersecurity and displayed startling statistics on the growing problem. For example, statistics indicate a 33 percent increase in losses from 2023 to 2024; this percent is especially troubling considering the lack of accurate reporting. “This is not going away,” Beard and Pahl emphasized. “This is getting worse!”
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom conducted a judicial training course titled Criminal Law/DWI Case Overview. Newsom discussed his county’s use of a rehabilitation program requiring participants to make an effort for 90 consecutive days whether it be AA meetings, church, or other relevant gatherings. “We give credit for various activities,” Newsom explained. “We are seeing people’s lives change.”