Blog | August 14, 2024
Blog: Nine Texas counties shine with 2024 Best Practices Awards
County Magazine
Recognized programs address social issues, community engagement, and more.
The Texas Association of Counties has announced the recipients of its 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Presented every two years, the awards celebrate innovative county initiatives from across the state.
From leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhancing community engagement and addressing pressing social issues, these 12 programs from nine counties demonstrate creativity and effectiveness in tackling local challenges:
- Denton County: The Annual BEE (Best Employees Ever) Luncheon celebrates county workers with a festive event featuring food, music and giveaways.
- El Paso County:
- Self-service kiosks use artificial intelligence to enhance access to county services.
- A volunteer program has contributed more than 26,000 service hours to community projects since October 2022.
- Guadalupe County: Launched the Citizens Elections Academy in August 2023 to educate the public on election processes and boost voter confidence.
- Harris County:
- Rolled out the Eviction Diversion Initiative to prevent avoidable evictions and improve court processes.
- Implemented the Grow Towers Initiative to provide fresh produce in food deserts using advanced technology.
- Matagorda County: The Youth Leadership Matagorda County engages high school students in local government and career opportunities.
- McLennan County: Revamped employee recruitment with a social and streaming media campaign, filling 48 positions in four months.
- Smith County: Introduced the County Detention Officer Program to recruit high school students for jailer certification, reducing staff shortages.
- Travis County: Led by Pct. 5 Constable Carlos Lopez, the Men As Allies program aims to reduce incidents of domestic and teen dating violence through community education and engagement.
- Williamson County:
- A new, user-friendly human resources analytics dashboard modernizes data management, improving efficiency and strategic planning.
- Launched the Jail-Based Competency Restoration program in August 2023 to provide in-jail treatment to restore defendants' competency to stand trial rather than wait months, if not years, for a bed at a state hospital facility to become available. Early results have shown great promise.
Each county program will be recognized at a forthcoming Commissioners Court meeting, with TAC representatives presenting the awards.
For more information, visit www.county.org/bestpractices.