In honor of National County Government Month, Webb County held a special Commissioners Court Meeting on April 23 at the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts in Laredo.

The meeting, conducted in its usual manner, took place before a crowd of 250-plus students from the Laredo Independent School District (LISD); interestingly this was the first time in Webb County history that Commissioners Court met at an alternate location.

Students from LISD were given an opportunity to see firsthand the different roles and responsibilities each elected and appointed county official has within the county.

The goal behind this idea was to demonstrate to students how county government works and the decisions that are made in their government, explained Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina.

“Most of what kids know is the judicial courts,” Tijerina continued. “I want students to become acquainted with the administrative side of county government and possibly spark an interest in a career. It is just as vital to understand and appreciate the functions of our local government as it is to understand how our legislature works and what happens at the federal, state, and local levels.”

Items of discussion included the proposed Webb County Fair Grounds, the LISD bond election, and other pressing county issues. Students were given the opportunity at the end of the meeting to ask questions regarding any item on the agenda.