Educational Co-Sponsor
Special thanks to the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, for serving as the education program co-sponsor for this conference.
Continuing Education
This conference has been approved for ten hours of continuing education for county commissioners. The judicial education session on Wednesday afternoon is approved for four hours of continuing education for county judges.
Association Officer
If you are interested in becoming an executive officer of the Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, please contact President Jeannette Duer, Jeff Davis County Judge, at (432) 426-3968.
Door Prizes
Each county is asked to bring at least one door prize, which will be collected at the registration desk.
The Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa and the Big Bend Resort & Adventures are the host hotels. Request the “Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners” room block when reserving your sleeping room. The deadline to reserve rooms at the special rate is Aug. 1, so make your reservations early. All reservations received after this date will be accepted on a space-available basis only and at the prevailing hotel rates.
Reservations must be guaranteed by a major credit card and the first night’s full deposit. Reservations not cancelled prior to the expected arrival date will be assessed the room rate and tax for one night.
Host Hotels
Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa (Note: This hotel block is full. Please call hotel directly to be added to the waiting list.)
100 Main St.
Lajitas, TX 79852
(432) 424-5000 / (877) 525-4827
Room Rate:
$129 a day
Big Bend Resort & Adventures
1 Main St.
Terlingua, TX 79852
(432) 371-2218
Room Rate:
$59.95 a day for a single queen
$89.95 a day for king or double queen
If special accommodations are needed, please contact Michele Ewerz at (800) 456-5974.
Tuesday, September 11 |
6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
Wednesday, September 12 |
Noon |
Pre-Conference Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co. |
12:45 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions |
6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
Thursday, September 13 |
7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties |
11:35 a.m. |
Grab-and-Go Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Warren CAT |
1:15 p.m. |
Golf Tournament - Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas
Tournament sponsored by: McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C.
Beverage cart sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co. |
1:15 p.m. |
Far Flung Rafting Trip (pending river levels) |
1:30 p.m. |
Horseshoe Tournament - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Security Benefit |
7 p.m. |
Dinner and Dance - The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
Scheduled activities are subject to change
Tuesday, Sept. 11
|
6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
Wednesday, Sept. 12
|
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Registration |
Noon |
Pre-Conference Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co. |
12:45 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions |
COMMISSIONERS EDUCATION SESSIONS
|
1-1:50 p.m. |
Road Maintenance
Speaker: Mr. Don Bonifay, Owner, Bonifay & Associates, Engineering and Construction Management |
1:50-2:20 p.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
2:20-3:10 p.m. |
Taking Quick Action to Resolve Complaints of Discrimination
Speaker: Mr. Eric Magee, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP |
3:10-3:40 p.m. |
Break |
3:40-4:30 p.m. |
Social Media
Speaker: Mr. Peter McGuill, Director, V.G. Young Institute of County Government |
4:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
JUDICIAL EDUCATION SESSIONS |
1–2 p.m. |
Constitutional Constraints on County Judges
Speaker: Ms. Jenny Gilchrist, Associate General Counsel, Texas Association of Counties |
2–3 p.m. |
Mineral Receiverships
Speaker: Hon. Greg Holly, Ward County Judge |
3-3:15 p.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
3:15–4:15 p.m. |
Occupational Drivers License
Speaker: Hon. Garry Merritt, General Counsel, Texas Association of Counties |
4:15–5:15 p.m. |
Roundtable Discussion: DWI Bond Conditions and Sentencing
Speaker: Hon. Susan M. Redford, Judicial Program Manger, Texas Association of Counties |
5:15 p.m. |
Adjourn |
6:30 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner - La Kiva
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
Thursday, Sept. 13
|
7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast
Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties |
GENERAL SESSION |
8-8:50 a.m. |
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (C.R.A.S.E) Training
Speaker: Cmdr. Orlando Alanis, Regional Director, Region 4, Texas Department of Public Safety, Sgt. Justin Baker, Public Information Officer, Texas Department of Public Safety |
8:50-9:40 a.m |
Emerging Water Issues
Speaker: Mr. Ty Edwards, General Manager, Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District |
9:40-9:55 a.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Health Delgado Acosta LLP |
9:55-10:45 a.m. |
Creating a Drug Testing Policy for CDL Drivers
Speaker: Mr. Larry Boccaccio, Risk Control Consultant, Texas Association of Counties |
10:45 a.m.-11:35 a.m. |
Texas Wildlife Services: Trapper Program
Speaker: Mr. Michael Bodenchuck, Director, Texas Wildlife Services, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
11:35 a.m. |
Grab-and-Go Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Warren CAT |
LEISURE ACTIVITIES |
1:15 p.m. |
Golf Tournament - Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas
Tournament sponsored by: McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C.
Beverage cart sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co. |
1:15 p.m. |
Far Flung Rafting Trip (pending river levels) |
1:30 p.m. |
Horseshoe Tournament - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Security Benefit |
7 p.m. |
Dinner and Dance - The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
Friday, Sept. 14
|
8 a.m. |
Association Business Meeting |
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION |
8:30-9:20 a.m. |
Broadband Network
Speakers: Mr. David Nichols, Engineer, Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN), Ms. Nancy Stewart, Director of Outreach and Business Development, Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) |
9:20-9:50 a.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Health Delgado Acosta LLP |
9:50-10:40 a.m. |
Area Legislators: Moderated Discussion
Speakers: State Legislators |
10:40-11:30 a.m. |
Legislative Update
Speakers: Mr. Jim Allison, General Counsel, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas |
11:30 a.m. |
Adjourn |
Agenda is subject to change
This conference has been approved for ten hours of continuing education for county commissioners. The judicial education session on Wednesday afternoon is approved for four hours of continuing education for county judges.
Cancellations and all refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) by Aug. 29. No refunds will be given after Aug. 29.
Please email cancellations to
Rachel Kucera or fax to (512) 477-1324.