Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Annual Conference

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
L​EISURE 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.​