Nine Hays County officials took their oaths of office in a ceremony Jan. 2 at the Commissioners Court chambers in San Marcos.

Making his first official appearance following major back surgery in the fall, Hays County Judge Bert Cobb swore in the commissioners, constables and other officials who won office in the Nov. 6 general election.

"I'm really proud of this lady," Cobb said before administering the oath to Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe.

Ingalsbe is the Commissioners Court's longest-serving member and is Hays County's first woman commissioner.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley, Sheriff Gary Cutler and 22nd District Judge Bruce Boyer were among the elected officers who were sworn in.

Also taking their oaths of office were Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway; Precinct 1 Constable David Peterson; Precinct 5 Constable Matt Mancillas III; Jo Anne Prado, Precinct 1, Place 1 justice of the peace; and Precinct 3 Constable Darrell Ayres.

Cobb said he has recovered well from the back operation and is able to stand straighter than he has in many years.

"I'm three inches taller—$18,000 an inch, in fact," he said.