Government
BY ANNA MANESS
Meet Steven Snell, Williamson County’s new judge On March 27, Williamson County commissioners selected Steven Snell to serve as the next county judge following Bill Gravell’s March 11 resignation.
money to build them is one thing, but having a site in an appropriate place—it’s also a challenge. I feel that that experience can help me on a larger scale with Williamson County. Williamson County is undergoing a lot of changes, from leadership changes to the new administration building opening soon. What do you anticipate being the biggest challenge you face during this season of transitioning? I'll have some small challenges, obviously, in just adjusting to life in the government world, the political world. When I look at Williamson County, you've got growth and you've got water, and all that growth requires county services. I want us to have the best sheri 's department in the state. I want us to be quick with emergency services and e ective, and both of those two departments need resources, so we need to make sure they're taken care of as much as possible. [We] need to explore as many grants that are out there ... to see what we can get above and beyond tax revenue to take care of the county needs. And then just working with the commissioners on the water and roads and getting up to speed on that and trying to stay ahead. Government just works slower than the developing world, so planning and conversations to keep us in line and lead through that growth as much as possible. Now that you’re serving Williamson County, what kind of lasting impact do you hope to make during your time here? You always want to leave a place better than you found it. I think I’ve done a really good job leading Liberty Hill through the growth. We’ve gone from 4,000 students to 10,000, and they’re going to
Snell has spent over 30 years in education and served as the Liberty Hill ISD superintendent for over six years. Snell resigned as Liberty Hill ISD superinten- dent at an April 7 board of trustees meeting and will be sworn in as the next Williamson County judge April 21. Community Impact sat down with Snell to discuss his plans as the next county judge. What made you apply for the vacant Williamson County judge position? I’ve got 31 years in education, and I’m to the point in my life where I was asking ‘What’s next?’ When you live a purpose driven life, it’s hard just to step away. I was looking for something where I could continue to serve and grow and help people. When this door opened, I explored the opportunity, talked to some people and talked to the family, prayed over it, and thought it would be a good t for the job description versus my skill set that I’ve developed. [I’m] honored to have the chance to serve the community. While you’ve been LHISD superintendent, you’ve led the district through two bond elections with over $1 billion in construction projects. How do you think your experience serving as superintendent has prepared you to be county judge? School districts don’t move as fast as develop- ers, so we really have to stay on top. We get demo- graphic reports quarterly [and] talk to developers almost every day just to see where the houses are going and where we need the schools. Getting the
ANNA MANESS COMMUNITY IMPACT
double again in the next 10 years. ... Williamson County has a great reputation and is a leader economically in the state. As the torch gets passed to me, I just want to keep that going. Williamson County has a strategic plan. One of the pillars of that plan is high functioning government, and so I really think that’s a role I can dig into and help the county be as high functioning as possible so all the other people who make the system work can have a clear lane to do their business.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .
?
With askGTX, all you need to do is ask—your quickest connection to the City of Georgetown!
FIND an answer. REPORT an issue. CONNECT with City services.
How do I report a pothole? Is there a rebate if I replace turf with native plants? Are there bike trails or parks near me? Do I need a permit to install a fence?
georgetowntexas.gov/askGTX Or call 512-930-CITY (512-930-2489)
15
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook