Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a package of routine and personnel actions at its Oct. 7 meeting, including a county funding report, a proclamation naming October 2025 National 4‑H Week, an interim facilities plan for Justice Center and related moves, and a hiring offer for the county’s senior director of Parks and Recreation.

The court also approved several departmental contracts and road and bridge projects and recessed twice for executive session on personnel, real property and pending litigation; no public action resulted from those closed sessions.

County auditor Nathan Zizemeyer asked the court to approve a funding report submitted electronically last week totaling $5,980,372.31. “I’m requesting approval today for the funding report that was submitted electronically last week in the amount of $5,980,372.31,” Zizemeyer said. He told the court the report included two addenda that added $5,000, and summarized the submission as "2 addendums, 3 wires, 4 quick payments, and 1 benefit payment for your approval." The motion to approve the payments was made and seconded; the court approved the report (motion carries, 5–0).

Proclamation for 4‑H

The court unanimously proclaimed October 2025 as National 4‑H Week after a brief presentation by Williamson County 4‑H members and staff. Britney Allen, Williamson County 4‑H agent, told the court the local program is among the largest in Texas and described the range of 4‑H activities. She said the program reaches local youth and volunteers, and summarized national themes, saying 4‑H “is beyond ready, building a ready generation in a world of change.” Students who spoke included Addison Wall and Aden Wall, who described agricultural projects and livestock showing; Arian Sharma, who described public‑speaking awards; and Ritika Busa, who discussed STEM work. The motion to approve the proclamation was made by Commissioner Covey and seconded by Commissioner Long; the court voted 5–0 to adopt the proclamation.

Interim facility space allocation

County Manager Rebecca Clemens reviewed a multi‑phase interim plan to reallocate temporary office and courtroom space while the county’s new administration building and justice complex projects proceed. Clemens said the plan had been previewed to the court on Sept. 16 and outlined three near‑term phases: initial moves already underway (phase 1), temporary remodeling and leased buildings at the Lake Creek facility to accommodate sheriff and district attorney needs (phase 2), and moves after occupants transition to a new administration building (phase 3). Clemens said hold‑back space would be reserved should the court need an additional courtroom in future. She noted the court had budgeted funding and that some moves could cost "a little bit over a million, million and a half dollars" depending on scope. The court approved phases 1–3 to allow staff to begin procurement and planning (motion carries, 4–0; Commissioner Long was recorded as having left prior to the vote).

Senior parks director offer

After returning from a closed personnel session, the court considered an offer of employment for the senior director of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department. Commissioner Long moved to extend an offer to TW Dickman for the senior director position (PCN 1210) with a salary of $155,000, a start date of Oct. 10 and use of succession‑planning funding to cover three weeks and one day of shadowing and any paid leave. The court noted this start date required an exception to the county’s standard onboarding policy to allow 3 weeks and one day of shadowing instead of the normal 2 weeks, but that the total paid time would remain within the county policy maximum. The motion was seconded and passed with the court recording four votes in favor and one abstention; the court announced the hire and congratulated the incoming director and the outgoing senior director on his pending retirement.

Contracts, road and bridge and facilities items

The court approved a set of road and bridge items (agenda items 45–57) to proceed with precinct projects and right‑of‑way work (motion carries, 5–0). Commissioners discussed the geographic distribution of project dollars and a comment that 37% of a particular allocation would flow to Precinct 4, with requests to ensure remaining funds are available for Precincts 1–3.

IT and professional services also received approval: the court authorized a service agreement with Gartner, Inc., for management consulting and research access for technical and IT leaders in an amount up to $150,000 (motion carries). Sheriff’s office items and vehicle/facilities contracts, including a secondary on‑call plumbing contract (described on the agenda as a not‑to‑exceed amount to provide backup plumbing services in emergencies), were approved on consent. The court asked department directors to encourage use of lower‑cost county fuel sites when feasible and discussed using county property for sheriff training exercises.

Consent agenda and public comment

The court approved its consent agenda (items 4–29) with item 17 pulled for separate review; the balance of the consent agenda passed without objection. During the public‑comment portion the court heard arguments both supportive and critical of county items. Bill Culberlaw and Jim Dillon spoke; Dillon criticized the consent‑agenda process and raised concerns about a county Habitat Conservation Plan and pesticide spraying. The court did not take action on those comments; public comment was recorded and the court proceeded with the scheduled agenda.

Executive session and adjournment

The court recessed to executive session twice: once for personnel matters under Texas Government Code Section 551.074 and once for real property and pending‑litigation matters under Sections 551.072 and 551.071. At the end of the meeting, the court reported it had returned to open session at 11:20 a.m. and that no action had been taken as a result of the executive sessions. The court adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (agenda item 1): motion carried, 5–0.
- Auditor funding report ($5,980,372.31, plus two addenda adding $5,000; 2 addenda, 3 wires, 4 quick payments, 1 benefit payment): motion carried, 5–0.
- Consent agenda (items 4–29, less item 17 which was pulled): motion carried, 5–0.
- Proclaim October 2025 National 4‑H Week (item 30): motion by Commissioner Covey, second Commissioner Long; carried 5–0.
- Interim facility space allocation phases 1–3 (item 31): motion carried, 4–0 (Commissioner Long recorded as absent prior to vote).
- Gartner service agreement (item 39): up to $150,000; motion carried.
- Road and bridge items (items 45–57): motion carried, 5–0.
- Senior director of Parks and Recreation offer to TW Dickman (item 61): motion carried, 4–0 with 1 abstention; hire salary $155,000, start Oct. 10; exception to onboarding policy authorized.
- Executive sessions (items 58–60): court recessed; no public action taken.

(Details for each recorded motion, mover/second and official tally are reflected in court minutes and the audio transcript.)

Ending

The court closed the meeting after reporting no action from the executive sessions and adjourning at 11:20 a.m.