Overview
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, budgeting, tax abatement, Texas Pacifico Railway / customs 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 Reggie Loeffler, Mason County Commissioner, at (325) 347‑2734.
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. 12. After Sept. 12, please register on-site at the conference registration desk.
Please contact Jackie Boone for more information or conference registration information.
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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. 19, 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.)
21701 FM 170
Lajitas, TX 79852
(432) 424-5000
Room rate: $190 a day
*Please note that there is a seven-day cancellation policy. All reservations guaranteed by an individual that are canceled within seven days of arrival or that involve a failure to arrive on the scheduled date will be considered no-shows, and the deposit on file will be forfeited.
Tax-exempt entity: If the person making the reservation has tax-exemption status, it will be applied only if the room deposit is confirmed with a credit card in the name of the hotel tax-exempt entity, and not to a personal credit card. The tax-exempt status form must be provided for our files at the time of reservation.
Big Bend Resort & Adventures
53623 Texas Highway 118
Terlingua, TX 79852
(602) 331.5232
Room Rate: $96
Group Code: 6000NC
Call-in only. Group Code cannot be used online.
If special accommodations are needed, please contact Michele Ewerz at (800) 456‑5974.
| Tuesday, Sept. 19 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| Wednesday, Sept. 20 |
| Noon |
Pre-Conference Lunch – Big Bend Resort & Adventures |
| 12:45 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner – Ocotillo at Lajitas Golf Resort |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| 11:35 a.m. |
Grab-and-Go Lunch – Big Bend Resort & Adventures |
| 1:15 p.m. |
Golf Tournament – Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Horseshoe Tournament – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| 7 p.m. |
Dinner and Dance – The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures
Sponsor: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association |
*Agenda subject to change
| Tuesday, Sept. 19 |
| 6:30-9 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Reception – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| Wednesday, Sept. 20 |
| 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. |
Cybersecurity
Speaker: Mr. Robert Ruiz, Associate Director of Risk management, TAC |
| 1:50-2:20 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:20-3:10 p.m. |
Tax Abatement
Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLC |
| 3:10-3:40 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:40-4:30 p.m. |
HR Law
Speaker: Ms. Cheraun Blankenship, HR Consultant, Texas Association of Counties |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
| JUDICIAL TRAINING FOR COUNTY JUDGES |
| 1-2 p.m. |
Judicial Session |
| 2-3 p.m. |
Judicial Session |
| 3-3:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:15-4:15 p.m. |
Judicial Session |
| 4:15-5:15 p.m. |
Judicial Session |
| 5:15 p.m. |
Adjourn |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Attendee Appreciation Dinner – Ocotillo at Lajitas Golf Resort |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Burrito Breakfast – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| General Session |
| 8-8:50 a.m. |
Texas Pacifico Railway / Customs
Speaker: Mr. Stan Meador, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Texas Pacifico |
| 8:50-9:40 a.m. |
Texas Pacifico Railway / Customs Q&A
Panelists: Hon. Lane Carter, Tom Green County Judge
Mr. Stan Meador, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Texas Pacifico
Hon. Jose Portillo, Presidio County Judge
Hon. Joe Shuster, Pecos County Judge |
| 9:40-9:55 a.m. |
Break |
| 9:55-10:45 a.m. |
Understanding County Finances and Financial Reports
Speaker: Mr. Nathan Cradduck, Tom Green County Auditor |
| 10:45 a.m.-11:35 a.m. |
Show Those Pearly Whites: Discover the Surprising Connection Between Dental and Physical Health
Speakers: Mr. Mark Zollitsch, Wellness Consultant, TAC |
| 11:35 a.m. |
Grab-and-Go Lunch – Big Bend Resort & Adventures |
| LEISURE ACTIVITIES |
| 1:15 p.m. |
Golf Tournament – Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Horseshoe Tournament – Far Flung Outdoor Center |
| 7 p.m. |
Dinner and Dance – The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures |
| Friday, Sept. 22 |
| 8 a.m. |
Association Business Meeting |
| CLOSING GENERAL SESSION |
| 8:30-9:20 a.m. |
Parks and Wildlife
Speaker: Mr. Froylan Hernandez, Staff Liaison, Texas Parks and Wildlife |
| 9:20-9:50 a.m. |
Break |
| 9:50-10:40 a.m. |
Area Legislators: Moderated Discussion |
| 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 ten hours of continuing education credit for county commissioners is approved. The judicial education session Wednesday afternoon is approved for four hours of continuing education for county judges.
| Continuing Education Type |
Hours |
| Commissioners |
10 |
| Judges |
4 |
Conference cancellations and all refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) by Sept. 6. No refunds will be given after Sept. 6.
Please email cancellations to Jackie Boone at jackieb@county.org or fax to (512) 477‑1324.