Photo by Cathy Chedrawi

Williamson County commissioners met Jan. 10 with local state legislators to discuss area concerns.

Commissioners asked state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-District 5; state Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-District 52; state Rep. Tony Dale, R-District 126; and state Rep. Marsha Farney, R-District 126, all of whom attended the discussion in Round Rock, to consider several county issues during the 83rd Texas Legislature. The session convened Jan. 8 in Austin.

Commissioners would like to see their legislators support a bill protecting local governments from unfunded mandates by considering the affects budget cuts and program changes have on local governments.

"Just talk with us, and we can let you know fairly quickly how that may have an impact on county government," Commissioner Cynthia Long said.

Commissioners also expressed concerns and opposition to decreases in property value appraisal caps and county property tax revenue caps, unless the state stops unfunded mandates.

"It's not that we want higher taxes or are looking for more revenue necessarily, but what is a problem at our level is someone saying you have to do all these things, and yet you can't raise the money to do them," Commissioner Valerie Covey said.

Another key concern was legislative support for a statewide transportation funding system to help build and maintain state highways.

Commissioner Lisa Birkman addressed the funds the county has paid for state highways and emphasized a need for state help in redoing its highways as a result of growth.

"This is one of those things where you go back to the story, because the story is where the state has continually not funded road construction, the county has put in $500 million of county taxpayer money into managing state highways," Gonzales said. "We simply haven't done it, and the county has stepped up and done it, because guess what? The people are coming. They are coming, and the county had the sense to realize that you better have the infrastructure ready for them, or we're in big trouble."

Commissioners also discussed indigent health care, the development of a long-term water supply plan, the need to become a 911 district, continued funding of crisis support services and the local mental health authority, adding road maintenance responsibilities to new municipal utility districts, continued support of a low-income assistance repair program, and possible ways to address the fire safety needs for multifamily residences.

At the beginning of the discussion, several representatives said education, health care and infrastructure needs, including water, were top priorities.

"Water is critical," Farney said.

The state also has an $8.8 billion budgetary surplus that could help address some state needs. Schwertner also said the Legislature could consider tax relief during this session.

"I think [tax relief is] a good idea," Schwertner said. "I think it sets a good example that whenever the federal government is raising taxes, we here in Texas are doing it right."