Local government directs region’s future

Local government directs region’s future

Written by Christi Snow Thursday, 07 December 2006

Transportation, economic development challenge county and municipal leaders

When Cynthia Long takes office Jan. 1 as the new Williamson County Commissioner for Precinct 2, she anticipates during her four-year term the region will see even more accelerated growth than it already has. In the next 10 years, the county projects the population will reach around half a million people. With the additional growth comes increased traffic congestion, which creates a need for more roads. That translates into a need for an inflated county budget, dependent on higher taxes, unless the Commissioners Court can find alternative means of funding.

“I keep telling people, ‘Hang on and fasten your seat belt,’” the newly-elected representative for Cedar Park and Leander said.

For Long, the way to handle the growth effectively is to encourage city and county government interaction.

“There is an energy level of what is going on in Liberty Hill, Leander and Cedar Park that’s truly amazing,” she said. “That’s why there is a growing recognition that we have got to play in the same sandbox. Williamson County can truly be the envy of the state.”

As a Cedar Park City Councilperson from 1995-1999, and with two different periods of service on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Long is familiar with the necessity of communication between cities and the county. The population more than doubled during her City Council tenure, preparing her, she believes, to act as commissioner of the largest precinct in one of the fastest growing counties in Texas.

“I am excited about serving four years on the court,” she said. “I am sure other former council members have been elected in the past, but in this court I am the only one that will come in with that kind of experience.”

Commissioners Court

The court itself is comprised of four commissioners and a county judge. They focus their weekly meetings on the county budget, general county administration and county roads and infrastructure.

Although each government entity has its own jurisdiction, Long said it is vital for the county and cities to cooperate. She cites an example of this cooperation during the last bond election when each commissioner appointed two citizens to visit with the cities in their precinct to identify which transportation projects to prioritize.

While cities create ordinances or local laws, the county operates under the statutes defined by the state legislature. At the same time, the county derives its influence from its authority in public safety and transportation issues in a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Long added that transportation is one of the court’s priorities in light of the accelerated population growth. She believes the court will have to continue to look for different ways to finance road projects. That might translate into collaboration with city funding. It can also mean finding more money within the county. In the most recent election Nov. 7, Williamson County residents passed a bond proposal that will give the court the ability to expand its spending by millions in improving transportation and parks.

City Council

Similar to the Commissioners Court, the City Council defines the budget, administration priorities and infrastructure within their jurisdiction and determines their policies.

Cedar Park City Secretary LeAnn Quinn said she has witnessed how greatly the officials affect the community’s future.

“They determine what roads are built and where they’re built,” she said. “The items that are on the ground now originated from the Council ten years ago. They impact every aspect of the city.”

The mayor and six council members are elected at large, meaning they do not represent a certain portion of their community.

In Cedar Park, each member serves a two-year staggered term. The mayor also chooses a member to serve in his or her absence as mayor pro tem.

In Leander, the members serve three-year terms, with the mayor pro tem nominated and chosen by the council.

The city council will have their elections in the spring. Beginning in February, Cedar Park residents who are at least 18, have lived in the city for at least a year and are registered voters can apply with the City Secretary to appear on the ballot. Leander has similar stipulations, but requires candidates to be 21. Elections are May 12.

Unlike the County Commissioners, council members receive no salary.

Williamson County Commissioners Court

• Commissioners Court:
  • The Commissioners Court is the overall governing and management body responsible for all budgetary decisions and setting the county tax rate each year.
  • Duties include establishing a courthouse and jail, building roads and bridges, assuring the safe-keeping of land and city records, providing law enforcement through the County Sheriff, administering County public welfare and health services, holding elections and issuing bonds.
  • Meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Courtroom, 301 S.E. Inner Loop, Ste. 103, Georgetown.
• County Judge:
  • Chairman of the court, elected to serve a four-year term
  • Annual salary: $94,967
• County Commissioners:
  • Four members elected by precinct voters to serve a four-year term
  • Annual salary: $77,329
  • Court Officials:
  • County Judge: Dan A. Gattis, Sr. *
  • Precinct 1: Lisa Birkman
  • Precinct 2: Cynthia Long *
  • Precinct 3: Valerie Covey *
  • Precinct 4: Ron Morrison *

*Elected Nov. 7

• Cedar Park: City Population: 42,400
  • City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd.
  • Cedar Park City Secretary: LeAnn Quinn - phone # 401-5002
• Leander: City Population: 20,000
  • City Council meets the first and third Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Pat Bryson Municipal Hall, 201 N. Brushy St.
  • Leander City Secretary: Debbie Haile - phone # 528-2743

Want to run for City Council?

Residents interested in adding their name to the ballot for the Spring 2007 elections should contact their city secretaries in January. Applications accepted between Feb. 10 - March 12.