Executive Director's Report

The start of a new year is a time when we look both backward and forward. By the time the new year's a month old, as it now is, we're definitely looking ahead.

And here at TAC, we're doing so with new leadership. Tom Green County Auditor Nathan Cradduck succeeded Comal County Treasurer Renee Couch as the President of the Board of Directors on Jan. 1. Nathan's two-year term got underway in earnest when he presided over his first Board meeting in mid-January.

Joining Nathan as Board officers are Yoakum County Commissioner Tim Addison, TAC's new President-Elect, and Ellis County Justice of the Peace Jackie Miller Jr., the new Vice President. I and the dedicated staff here at the Texas Association Counties look forward to working with the Board to continue to promote county government and provide the quality service you've come to expect for more than 50 years.

We also began 2022 with some exciting beginnings. We launched our first podcast, Texas County Voice, in January. We've described Texas County Voice as a podcast "about the people, issues and all things important to Texans and Texas counties." The inaugural episode includes an interview with Nathan Cradduck about his goals as Board President. Give Texas County Voice a listen at www.county.org. You also can read an edited transcript of our interview with Nathan on Page 8.

This issue of County magazine marks the first on our new quarterly publication schedule. Don't worry; the magazine will continue to cover issues that affect county government while profiling the people who make counties work for all Texans – and it will do so with a beefed-up digital presence. Please check out our revamped County magazine website at www.county.org/magazine in the coming weeks.

If you haven't discovered our Legal Services department's interactive population bracket map, you're missing a prime example of the innovative service we provide. For the first time, Texas counties have a centralized tool they can use to view the state laws that apply to them based on their 2020 population. Find it at www.county.org/population-bracket-map. 

Every even-numbered year, TAC recognizes the efforts of county leaders to create efficient and effective solutions to challenges facing county government. March 31 is the deadline for you to nominate your county for TAC's 2022 Best Practices Awards. You can find the nomination form and learn more about the awards at www.county.org/bestpractices.

In December, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a National Association of Counties' County Executive Roundtable. I was honored to have been asked to attend and to be able to represent Texas counties. The event explored critical issues facing counties, and I left energized about the important work counties do and the incredible opportunity we have at TAC to work with you to meet the challenges that await us.

Thank you for placing your trust in us. And thank you for remaining #254Strong!