County Magazine

Explore the technology issues shaping county government at the 2026 County Technology Conference, taking place Oct. 27-30 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

This year’s conference features three educational tracks: law enforcement technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and county IT leadership.

“This is the most diverse conference agenda we’ve offered yet, and it’s timely for what counties need,” said Peter Crary, TAC’s deputy director of technology services.

As data center development continues to expand across Texas, counties are grappling with questions about infrastructure and economic development. In a featured panel discussion, attendees can exchange ideas with county leaders who have worked through this nuanced topic firsthand.

The law enforcement track begins with a discussion focused on how to balance advancements in public safety technology with maintaining public trust. Participants can also learn about compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services and the privacy aspects of license plate reader technology.

Sindhu Menon, chief information officer for Harris County, will share insights from her experience implementing AI policy and governance at the third largest county in the U.S. Her session will address how Harris County approaches ethical and responsible AI adoption, focusing on transparency, compliance and public trust.

Web accessibility remains top of mind for Texas counties. To help website editors meet the Department of Justice’s ADA compliance deadline, Lizzie Calvert , TAC IT learning and development specialist, will lead a presentation about web accessibility. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and learn about common accessibility misconceptions.

“Even though the deadline has been extended, you don’t want to wait until the last minute,” Crary said. “This presentation will help clear up confusion and lead counties down the right path toward web accessibility compliance.”

Another session will examine trends in government websites. Led by Jason Bram, TAC IT member manager, and representatives from Citibot and EZTask, the panel will explore how AI-powered chatbots, accessibility tools and agenda management solutions can help counties stay compliant while efficiently responding to constituent questions.

“Whether you’re focused on security, accessibility, leadership or emerging technology, attendees will leave with actionable ideas and valuable connections,” Crary said.

To learn more about the 2026  County Technology Conference and register for the event, visit county.org/tech-conference.