Washington County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Washington County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed Expo Multipurpose Facility
A new open-air multipurpose building at the Expo grounds goes before voters November 3. It could host graduations, rodeos, band practice, festivals, cook-offs, and more — with room for roughly 3,000-3,200 people. Scaled floor plans showing how real events fit will be released before early voting.
Elections Office Relocation
The Elections office is moving from the courthouse to the Courthouse Annex, putting the office, voting machines, early voting, and central count under one roof. It should save staff countless cross-street trips and be ready before the November election.
2027 Sheriff's and Constables' Fees
Constables will charge more for citations starting 2027 — $100 for service (up from $85) and $50 for posting. It's the first increase since 2013, and the constable's office is actually a revenue generator for the county.
Sales tax revenue boost
August sales tax collections hit $423,450 — $66,000 more than last year — and Judge Durrenberger reminded everyone that every dollar of sales tax helps buy down the property tax rate.
First responder pay step plans
Pay step plans for the Sheriff's Office, Jail, EMS and 911, plus the county's retirement plan agreement, were pushed to the next meeting because HR Director Amber Skalka couldn't attend.
State-funded EMS whole blood program
New MOUs shift the cost of the EMS prehospital whole-blood program to the state. EMS got three new blood coolers and blood supply through the Brazos Valley Regional Advisory Council.
Jail population climbing
The average daily jail population hit 115 in August, near 2022 levels, with 13 inmates transferred because bonds weren't being made. The sheriff said the county plays only a small role in a system-wide issue and is monitoring it closely.
Randermann Road bridge project
Precinct 4 is planning to widen and realign a bridge on Randermann Road, requiring relocation of AT&T and Bluebonnet utilities. AT&T gave formal notice of new service line installation along the right-of-way; easement talks with landowners look promising.
County Clerk modernization paying off
The county is digitizing roughly two million paper documents for about $202,000 over 18 months, plus a Laserfiche document system at ~$61,620 a year. That means faster public records responses, less risk to aging paper files, and no more 'treasure hunts' for staff.
FY2027 Holiday Schedule Change
County employees will no longer get a floating birthday holiday — instead, the whole county observes President's Day. If you still want your birthday off, you'll need to use PTO.
Scrap Tire Collection Event
Residents can drop off up to eight tires per address October 10–24 at the Brenham Collection Station, and a grant covers the entire cost. Last year the event collected about 1,650 tires.
Non-emergent ambulance transports in Brenham
A new addendum with Baylor Scott & White lets ambulances carry non-emergent patients between the Brenham hospital and clinics, keeping care local instead of sending patients to College Station.
New Elections Administrator takes office
Jennifer Gajeske was formally seated as Elections Administrator, with her bond and salary approved, just ahead of the November election.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The county proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, supporting the Color Brazos Valley Gold effort; Washington County saw four new childhood cancer diagnoses this year.
Scarecrow Music Festival permits
The 2026 festival got conditional approval for its right of way and mass gathering permits, pending signatures from county safety officials.
School Board Meeting
The Brenham School Board is meeting Monday to talk about building upgrades, new grants, and staffing shifts. It’s a quick way to see how the district is spending your tax money and planning for the future.
Infrastructure and Facility Modernization
Washington County is gearing up to give the local Expo center a major facelift to attract more visitors and better support our farmers. Before the fun stuff starts, they’ve got to tackle some messy drainage and mapping issues to make sure the site is actually ready for the upgrade.
Judicial Infrastructure Expansion
Washington County is finally ditching the crumbling, unsafe courthouse for a brand-new 70,000-square-foot judicial center. It’s a major upgrade that stops the current, sketchy practice of walking inmates through the same hallways as the general public.
Government Operations
Treasurer Peggy Kramer warned the court she is deep into switching the county's banks — new checks, deposit slips, and direct deposits for every department. It will take time but everything balances.
Tax sale and constable sale locations
State law requires constable sales at the main courthouse entrance, but weather makes that impractical. The court reaffirmed the courthouse steps and added the Courthouse Annex at 100 S. Park St. as a covered backup site.
Free EMS ground and air service for county residents
EMS Director Taylor Leonard confirmed county residents are never billed for ambulance or air ambulance rides — insurance is billed, but the county absorbs the rest. Commissioners noted the annual air write-off alone exceeds half a million dollars and called the benefit unheard of elsewhere.
Loose livestock on roadways rising
Dry weather is pushing cattle onto roads — loose livestock calls jumped from 81 to 114 in March, a hazard for rural drivers.
Industrial Development
Viridien is officially breaking ground on a massive data center in Brenham, and they’re finally addressing concerns about how it’ll affect our power grid and local landscape. It’s a huge project that’s going to change the area, so we need to watch how they handle the neighborhood impact.
Infrastructure Maintenance
The historic Washington County Courthouse is falling apart, and the city needs to figure out how to pay for major repairs before it’s forced to shut down. Keep an eye on local meetings, because this could impact both your tax bill and where you go for government services.
Park Development
Brenham is finally getting a long-overdue upgrade with a new $4.1 million park project. It’s the first major expansion to our local green space in decades, giving everyone a fresh spot to hang out.
Emergency Facility Closures
Winter weather is forcing Washington County to lock the doors on several public buildings this Monday. Don't waste a trip—check the city's website to see if your destination is open before you leave the house.
Tax Abatement
Brenham officials just blocked a tax break for a new data center, which could kill the project entirely. It’s a major win for locals who are tired of seeing big corporations get special treatment at the expense of the city's bottom line.
Intergovernmental Agreement
Washington County just backed out of a major infrastructure deal with the city, leaving future development plans in limbo. It’s a big shift that could delay local projects and force the city to scramble for a new game plan.
Election Announcement
A new face just jumped into the race for Brenham City Council. Since this seat directly impacts local policy, it's worth paying attention to how this changes the upcoming election landscape.
Infrastructure Funding
Washington County is eyeing federal grants to help pay for much-needed repairs on U.S. 290. This is a win for your commute and keeps the city from having to drain local tax dollars to fix the road.
Emergency Management
A major tornado just tore through Washington County, causing injuries and major damage. Local crews are working around the clock, so keep your phone alerts on for recovery updates and aid info.
Public Safety and Park Infrastructure
After a tragic drowning in a Brenham park, city officials are scrambling to re-evaluate flood safety and warning systems. Expect to see new restrictions or better signage popping up at local parks soon as the city tries to prevent another accident.
Emergency Services Partnership
Washington County is leveling up its emergency response by partnering with Metro Aviation to upgrade its air medical fleet. This move is all about getting help to patients faster and making sure they get top-tier care when every second counts.