The Annual Conference of the Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association brings together county judges and commissioners from the region to review and discuss critical issues facing their counties. This year's conference will present the latest updates on legislative actions, safety, human resource topics and more.
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.
Association Officer
If you are interested in becoming an executive officer of the Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, please contact President Ruben Ortega, Brewster County Commissioner, at (432) 837-2412.
Door Prizes
Each county is asked to bring at least one door prize, which will be collected at the registration desk.
Registration Fees (Included are tickets to all events)
Not sure if you are a member county of the Far West Texas Region? Click here to find out.
| County officials and staff for Member counties |
$100 |
| County officials and staff for Non-Member counties |
$125 |
The registration fee includes spouse attendance for all events. Registration forms must be received by September 4. After September 4, please register onsite at the conference registration desk.
Please contact Rachel Kucera for more information or conference registration information.
The host hotels are the Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa and the Big Bend Resort & Adventures. 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 August 10, 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 (HOTEL FULL)
100 Main St.
Lajitas, TX 79852
(432) 424-5000 / (877) 525-4827
Room rate: $135 a day
Big Bend Resort & Adventures
1 Main St.
Terlingua, TX 79852
(432) 371-2218
Room rate: $89.95 a day
If special accommodations are needed, please contact Michele Ewerz at (800) 456-5974.
| Tuesday, Sept. 10 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
| Wednesday, Sept. 11 |
| 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. |
Attendees Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
| Thursday, Sept. 12 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties |
| 11:35 p.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 |
| 1:30 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 |
*Agenda is subject to change
| Tuesday, Sept. 10 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
| Wednesday, Sept. 11 |
| 10 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. |
Rights of Way
Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP |
| 1:50-2:20 p.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
| 2:20-3:10 p.m. |
The Effects of Stress on Your Physical Health
Speaker: Mr. Mark Zollitsch, Wellness Consultant, Texas Association of Counties |
| 3:10-3:40 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:40-4:30 p.m. |
Role of Emergency Service Districts in Rural Counties
Speaker: Mr. Cliff Avery, Executive Director, SAFE-D |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
| Judicial Training For County Judges |
| 1-2 p.m. |
Legislative Update
Speaker: Mr. Michael Pichinson, Director of Legislative Services, Texas Association of Counties |
| 2-3 p.m. |
Alternatives to Probate
Speaker: Hon. Justin Lewis, Hill County Judge |
| 3-3:15 p.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
| 3:15-4:15 p.m. |
Criminal Pre-Trial: Motions to Suppress
Speaker: Hon. Greg Holly, Ward County Judge |
| 4:15-5:15 p.m. |
Moderated Discussion
Speaker: Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, Texas Association of Counties |
| 5:15 p.m. |
Adjourn |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
| Thursday, Sept. 12 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast - Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties |
| General Session |
| 8-8:50 a.m. |
Local Response to Disasters
Speaker: Dr. Monty Dozier, Special Assistant to the Director for Emergency Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service |
| 8:50-9:40 a.m. |
Mental Health in First Aid
Speaker: Dr. Rick L. Peterson, Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service |
| 9:40-9:55 a.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Health Delgado Acosta LLP |
| 9:55-10:45 a.m. |
Overview of Solar Farms
Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP |
| 10:45-11:35 a.m. |
The Essence of Public Speaking
Speaker: Mr. Mark Warren, Education Training Consultant, Texas Association of Counties |
| 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 |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Horseshoe Tournament - Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
| 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. 13 |
| 8 a.m. |
Association Business Meeting |
| Closing General Session |
| 8:30-9:20 a.m. |
Border Issues
Speaker: Chief Matthew Hudak, Chief Patrol Agent, US Border Patrol, Big Bend Sector |
| 9:20-9:50 a.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP |
| 9:50-10:40 a.m. |
Area Legislators: Moderated Discussion
Speaker: Rep. Brooks Landgraf, District 81, Texas House of Representatives |
| 10:40-11:30 a.m. |
Legislative Update
Speaker: Mr. Jim Allison, General Counsel, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Adjourn |
*Agenda is subject to changeTen hours of continuing education has been approved for county commissioners. The judicial education session on Wednesday afternoon is approved for four hours of continuing education for county judges.
Conference cancellations and all refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) by August 28. No refunds will be given after August 28.
Please email cancellations to Rachel Kucera or fax to (512) 477-1324.