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, public records, oil and gas 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 Pete Jackson, Upton County commissioner, at (432) 301-0015.
Door Prizes
Each county is asked to bring at least one door prize, which will be collected at the registration desk.
Registration Fees
| (Tickets to all events are included.) |
|
| County officials and staff for member counties |
$125 |
| County officials and staff for nonmember counties |
$150 |
The registration fee includes spouse attendance for all events. Registration forms must be received by Sept. 3. After Sept. 3, please register onsite at the conference registration desk.
Please contact Rachel Kucera for more information or conference registration information.
Form best viewed in Internet Explorer or Firefox.The host hotels are the Lajitas Golf Resort 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 Aug. 9, so make your reservations early. All reservations received after this date will be accepted on a space-available basis and at the prevailing hotel rates.
Reservations must be guaranteed by a major credit card and the first night’s full deposit. Reservations not canceled prior to the expected arrival date will be assessed the room rate and tax for one night.
Host Hotels
Lajitas Golf Resort (Note: This hotel block is full. Please call the hotel directly to be added to the waiting list.)
100 Main St.
Lajitas, TX 79852
(432) 424-5000 / (877) 525-4827
Room rate: $149 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. 7 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception – Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
| Wednesday, Sept.8 |
| Noon |
Pre-Conference Lunch – Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co. |
| 12:45pm |
Welcome and Introductions |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
| Thursday, Sept.9 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| 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. |
| 1:30 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
Sponsor: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
*Agenda is subject to change.
| Tuesday, Sept.7 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception – Far Flung Outdoor Center
Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP |
| Wednesday, Sept.8 |
| 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Registration |
| Noon |
Pre-Conference Lunch – Big Bend Resort & Adventures |
| 12:45 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions |
| Commissioners Education Sessions |
| 1-1:50 p.m. |
Leadership Communication in 2021
Speaker: Dr. Peter McGuill, Director, V.G. Young Institute of County Government, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service |
| 1:50-2:20 p.m |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
| 2:20-3:10 p.m. |
Basic Road Construction and Maintenance
Speaker: Mr. Don Bonifay, Owner, Bonifay & Associates, Engineering and Construction Management |
| 3:10-3:40 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:40-4:30 p.m. |
Public Records
Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP |
| 4:30 p.m |
Adjourn |
| Judicial Training For County Judges |
| 1-2 p.m. |
Nuts and Bolts of Guardianship
Speaker: Hon. Greg Holly, Ward County Judge |
| 2-3 p.m |
Ethics and Discretion
Speaker: Hon. Tramer Woytek, Judicial Resource Liaison, Texas Association of Counties (TAC) |
| 3-3:15 p.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations |
| 3:15-4:15 p.m. |
Indigent Defense and Pro Se Litigants
Speaker: Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, TAC |
| 4:15-5:15 p.m. |
Legislative Update
Speaker: Mr. Rick Thompson, Legislative Consultant, TAC |
| 5:15 p.m |
Adjourn |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP |
| Thursday, Sept. 9 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast
Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties |
| General Session |
| 8-8:50 a.m. |
Road Repair Grants for Texas Counties
Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP |
| 8:50-9:40 a.m. |
U.S. Border Patrol Update
Speakers: Mr. Sean McGoffin, Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, Big Bend Sector
Mr. Matthew J. Roggow, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, Big Bend Sector |
| 9:40-9:55 a.m. |
Break |
| 9:55-10:45 a.m. |
American Rescue Plan Act
Speaker: Hon. B. Glen Whitley, Tarrant County Judge Hon. Tramer Woytek, Judicial Resource Liaison, TAC |
| 10:45-11:35 a.m. |
Texas A&M Forest Service
Speaker: Mr. Logan McMillan, Regional Community Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service |
| 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: Security Benefit |
| 7 p.m. |
Dinner and Dance – The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsor: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
| Friday, Sept. 10 |
| 8 a.m. |
Association Business Meeting |
| Closing General Session |
| 8:30-9:20 a.m. |
Groundwater Quality and Quantity Issues in West Texas
Speaker: Mr. Raymond L. Straub Jr., P.G., Geoscientist/Water Well Driller, Straub Corp. |
| 9:20-9:50 a.m. |
Break
Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP |
| 9:50-10:40 a.m. |
Area Legislators: Moderated Discussion
Speakers: Area Legislators |
| 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 subject to change
An application for continuing education credit for county commissioners has been approved for 10 hours. The judicial education session on Wednesday afternoon is approved for ten hours of continuing education for county judges.
| Continuing Education Type |
Hours |
| Commissioners |
10 |
| Judges |
10 |
Conference cancellations and all refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) by Aug. 27. No refunds will be given after Aug. 27.
Please email cancellations to Rachel Kucera or fax to (512) 477-1324.