Texas County Voice

Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Aug. 25, 2017, causing massive damage in Aransas and many other Texas counties. In this episode of Texas County Voice, we recognize the five-year anniversary of the storm and the resilience of our members as they continue to rebuild. Joining us is Robert Ruiz, associate director of TAC Risk Management Services. Ruiz was one of the first TAC staff members to visit counties in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. He walks us through the damage our members sustained and offers lessons learned and tips on how to prepare for disaster.

This episode pairs with the cover story in the summer issue of County magazine.

Voices of County Government is a favorite feature of the Texas Association of Counties' quarterly magazine, County. Consider it now an occasional feature here on Texas County Voice.

Our guest: Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson. Judge Johnson talks about what it's like to wield the county gavel after 11 years as county and district clerk, her experience as clerk and a few of her favorite things about Hemphill County.

On this episode of Texas County Voice, we sit down with the presidents of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas and Texas Chief Deputies Association, both of whom just so happen to be from the same county – Lubbock County, about the biggest issues affecting county law enforcement, including staffing shortages and mental health services in their jails. We also talk to them about how they got interested in law enforcement and what motivates them to show up to work every day.

Haley Click, director of the Texas Association of Counties' Education & Member Services, and Comal County Treasurer Renee Couch visit Texas County Voice to talk about Leadership 254, one of TAC's premier training programs for county officials.

Applications are open for the next class of Leadership 254 until Sept. 16, 2022. County officials can apply online at www.county.org/leadership254.

What happens in Washington doesn't stay in Washington. Decisions made at the federal level affect Texas counties. Federal outreach efforts by TAC's Legislative Services department, in partnership with the National Association of Counties, make sure Texas counties have a voice in Washington, D.C.

Delivering health care in rural communities is a perennial challenge. This episode includes excerpts from a recent panel discussion on rural health care hosted by The Texas Tribune and cosponsored by the Texas Association of Counties. The episode also includes an interview with Bell County Pct. 3 Commissioner Bill Schumann.

The new issue of County magazine is here, and we're talking about it. Because it's got stuff you'll want to read. For free. Plus: Hudspeth County Judge Tom Neely is 94. That's right, 94. Yeah, he has a few stories to tell.

Burnet County Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson and Waller County Justice of the Peace J.R. Woolley talk about the judiciary's role when interacting with people with mental health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities or substance use disorders.

Robert Ruiz, associate director of TAC's Risk Management Services, and San Patricio County IT Director Steven González guide Texas County Voice through the cybersecurity landscape in this report from this year's County Management & Risk Conference.

The Legislature made big changes to the bail bond system in Texas in 2021. TAC Legislative Consultant Kelsey Bernstein and Bronson Tucker, director of curriculum at the Texas Justice Court Training Center, join Texas County Voice to discuss key bail reporting rules now taking effect.