In The News

June 27, 2024

The South Texas County Judges’ and Commissioners’ Association passed a resolution on County Land Use Authority.

Whereas, counties have no significant land use authority and

Whereas, substandard and obnoxious development can reduce the value of adjacent property owners; and

Whereas, counties should have a limited ability to protect the current landowners and public health and safety; and

Whereas, appropriate development is inhibited and discouraged by substandard and inappropriate development;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association requests that the Texas Legislature grant limited, local option authority to Texas counties to ensure more compatible development within the county to protect our landowners and public health and safety, and prevent overuse of natural resources, such as ground and surface water.

June 21, 2024  

On June 21, 2024, Commissioners Jen Crownover and Kevin Webb (Comal County), Andra Wisian (Kendall County), and Lon Shell (Hays County) welcomed 50 county officials and staff from across the Hill Country to a meeting at the Herff Farm in Boerne, where discussion centered on how counties can manage growth and preserve natural resources. Joined by State Representative Carrie Isaac, as well as staff from State Representatives Ellen Troxclair, and Erin Zwiener, and State Senator Donna Campbell’s office, the group included county commissioners, engineers, floodplain administrators, and groundwater conservation district managers from Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Real, Travis, and Williamson counties. Attendees represented leaders from some of the fastest growing counties in the country, all situated within the Texas Hill Country – a region ripe with delicate natural resources and unique communities, both rural and urban. As a whole, the group was interested in discussing the balance of regional needs – welcoming growth, respecting private property, and preserving critical natural features and services. Attendees agreed that the region is a great place to live, and counties need more tools to preserve quality of life for their residents. Read full press release.

June 13, 2024 

Texan by Nature (TxN) today announced the results of The Return on Conservation™ Report (ROC™ Report), a groundbreaking analysis confirming that conservation investments in Texas provide substantial financial benefits. The report shows that $639 million in conservation investments conservatively yielded over $2.8 billion in Return on Conservation™ value in FY 2019, delivering at least a 4:1 and up to 40:1 return per dollar invested. View Full Report Here