The Issue: Budget Officer

The County Attorney purportedly "provid[es] the Williamson County Commissioners Court with access to the best possible legal counsel" and "strives to be the best County Attorney's office in the State of Texas." Despite this, the County Attorney continues to fail to ensure that state law is followed regarding who can be the Budget Officer for Williamson County.

Despite the clarity of statutory law and a Texas Attorney General's opinion, our County Attorney has chosen not to adequately advise our County Commissioners so that they can comply with the law. Indeed, after having the County Attorney's office explain the opinion, Commissioners reported being even more confused. "It raises a lot more questions than answers to me," Commissioner Lisa Birkman said. It also means that Williamson County may be breaking the law, and opening itself up to yet another lawsuit by any local taxpayer who arguably has standing to file suit. That's not looking out for our best interests.

Additional information is avaible below:

• Attorney General's Opinion (PDF 385KB)
• Austin American Statesman article from February 28th, 2008 (PDF 264KB)

The Issue: T. Don Hutto

T. Don Hutto detention facility was originally intended to bring much needed jobs and income to the county. Although responsible for assisting with contracts between the county and independent facilities, our officials decided when renewing the contract to do little to ensure that employees were recruited from within Williamson County, rather than from areas such as Temple and Belton.

Although this facility is for the detention of immigrant families, the facility itself has been discovered to employ undocumented workers, and contractors with criminal records. This resulted in an official reprimand from the United States Immigration and Customs EnforcementIn addition, the County Attorney's office is the county's primary agent in fighting on behalf of abused and neglected children, and the victims of domestic violence. Despite this, the County Attorney's office has chosen to ignore reports of sexual assault and child neglect at the T. Don Hutto facility.

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