Texas Counties 101

Every two years, the Texas Association of Counties recognizes the efforts of county leaders to create efficient and effective solutions to challenges facing county governments. The County Best Practices Awards highlight innovative programs, improved service delivery and outstanding achievements across all areas of county operations. 

Here are the recipients of TAC’s 2026 County Best Practices Awards. 

BELL COUNTY 
Preventive Jail Maintenance Plan 
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Facilities Services partnered to create a proactive, team-based approach to jail maintenance and compliance. The plan combines regular inspections, work orders, staff training and ongoing evaluations to improve operations, extend the life of critical infrastructure, reduce costs and support public safety. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards recognized the project as a model that can be replicated in other counties. 
Contact: Kylie Brooks, director of Administrative Services 
kylie.brooks@bellcounty.texas.gov; (254) 831-2287 

BRAZOS COUNTY 
DA in a Day 
The Brazos County District Attorney’s Office is strengthening community trust and transparency through DA in a Day, an interactive program that gives residents an inside look at how cases are reviewed, charged and prosecuted. Tailored to each audience, the program promotes a deeper understanding of the justice system and the district attorney’s role in protecting public safety. 
Contact: Jennifer Jansen, Brazos County District Attorney’s Office 
jjansen@brazoscountytx.gov; (979) 361-4320 

CAMERON COUNTY 
South Texas Ecotourism Center 
The South Texas Ecotourism Center connects conservation, education and tourism while expanding public access to the region’s natural resources, all without local tax dollars. Since opening in 2022, the center has increased visitation, expanded youth participation and improved environmental performance. Its innovative, community-driven model has earned statewide recognition and established the center as a regional hub for environmental education, recreation and sustainable tourism. 
Contact: Mari S. Galvan, community outreach coordinator 
mari.galvan@co.cameron.tx.us; (956) 361-8209

COMAL COUNTY 
Hire to Retire 
Comal County strengthened its workforce and improved service delivery through its Hire to Retire program, led by Human Resources Director Jerri Hettinger. The initiative streamlined recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, performance management and succession planning while updating pay scales to remain competitive. The results include faster hiring for critical positions, higher retention, lower turnover and a more engaged, accountable workforce prepared to meet the county’s long-term needs. 
Contact: Comal County Commissioner Jen Crownover 
jcrownover@comalcounty.gov; (830) 221-1104

DENTON COUNTY 
From Fragmentation to Integration: Creation of a Countywide Fire Response System 
Denton County is transforming fire and EMS response with a unified, countywide system designed to keep pace with rapid growth. The Denton County Emergency Response Area replaces a fragmented network with coordinated response zones, closest-unit dispatch and regional infrastructure planning. The model improves response efficiency, reduces redundancy and strengthens long-term sustainability. 
Denton County also received a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for the initiative. 
Contact: Michelle Brewer, chief administrator, County Administration 
michelle.brewer@dentoncounty.gov; (940) 349-4684

JIM HOGG COUNTY 
Children’s Afterschool Meal Program 
Jim Hogg County expanded access to nutritious meals for children through an innovative afterschool meal program launched in 2025. Beginning with 75 meals a day, the program quickly grew to about 300 daily meals and expanded to include Saturday and summer service. In partnership with the South Texas Food Bank and U.S. Department of Agriculture-supported funding, the county is closing critical gaps in food access and improving quality of life for families. 
Contact: Jim Hogg County Judge Juan Carlos Guerra
jcguerra@co.jim-hogg.tx.us; (361) 231-2660 

KENDALL COUNTY 
Closing Daytime Emergency Response Gaps in a Rural Volunteer Fire System 
Kendall County and the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department strengthened emergency response by pairing volunteers with paid, part-time professional firefighters. The model provides 24/7 station-based staffing for the first time in the department’s history, improving readiness and reducing response delays. By expanding capacity without the cost of a fully staffed department, Kendall County has created a practical, sustainable model for improving rural public safety. 
Contact: Deb Riebe, contracts manager and legal assistant 
driebe@kendallcountytx.gov; (830) 388-7088 

REFUGIO COUNTY 
Horizon Refugio 2036 
Horizon Refugio 2036 brings residents, local governments and community partners together around a shared vision for Refugio County’s future. The countywide initiative aligns infrastructure, economic development and historic preservation priorities while guiding long-term investments toward the state bicentennial and the county’s 200th anniversary. By strengthening collaboration, public engagement and grant readiness, the program provides a practical roadmap for sustainable growth while preserving the community’s identity. 
Contact: Refugio County Judge Jhiela “Gigi” Poynter 
j.poynter@co.refugio.tx.us; (361) 526-4434

TRAVIS COUNTY 
AI-Enhanced Continuous Audit Process for Court-Appointed Attorney Payments 
Travis County transformed oversight of court-appointed attorney payments with an automated, data-driven auditing system. The new process uses advanced analytics to review 100% of vouchers, up from 20% under manual sampling, while identifying billing irregularities in minutes. By reducing manual workload, improving accuracy and strengthening compliance, the innovation protects public funds and demonstrates how counties can use technology to modernize financial oversight. 
The system also earned Travis County a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. 
Contact: John Gomez, lead data scientist 
John.Gomez@traviscountytx.gov; (512) 854-4269 

Professional Officer Wellness Reset 
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office launched Professional Officer Wellness Reset (POWR) to make mental health support more accessible to public safety professionals facing chronic stress and trauma. Through a confidential partnership with a community nonprofit, employees can access therapy and acupuncture without financial or privacy barriers. In its first 18 months, more than 90 employees participated in more than 550 sessions, strengthening workforce resilience and operational readiness while providing a model other counties can adapt. 
Contact: Karen Ranus, trauma-informed program administrator 
karen.ranus@traviscountytx.gov; (512) 552-9831 

WISE COUNTY 
Wise County Constable Central 
Wise County Constable Central is transforming how constables serve courts and communities through centralized administration, shared resources and strategic staffing. The collaborative model has improved civil process service, court security and eviction services while reducing outstanding caseloads and increasing responsiveness. Shared personnel, fleet resources and technology have also strengthened coordination and community engagement. The result is a more efficient, flexible operation and a scalable model for modernizing county law enforcement and court support. 
Contact: Wise County Constable Gregory W. “Greg” Leveling 
constable@co.wise.tx.us; (940) 393-4060 

Past recipients, 2010-2024