IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

Counties in the United States serve as a level of government between states and cities. Like incorporated municipalities, counties provide or administer public services, including those for safety, sanitation, and health. They also build and maintain infrastructure and administer land-use and development rules. The authorities by which counties execute their responsibilities vary across the nation. In the state of Texas, county government is done through Commissioners Courts, and the chief elected executive is a County Judge. Despite the words “court” and “judge,” County Judges’ roles are administrative and political, and only rarely judicial. Texas county governments have relatively limited powers in comparison to those of cities. This paper introduces the Texas County Judges’ Planning and Design Forum. It was created to bring together judges and subject-matter experts from academia to discuss emerging land development challenges and strategies for addressing them. Topics include infrastructure provision, natural resource management, disaster management and response, and sustainability. The program is the first of its kind for Texas counties and perhaps in the United States. Judges are invited to two-day meetings. The judges and the team of subject matter experts meet under Chatham House Rules to allow candid discussion. A case study of an emerging topic or project is developed by The University of Texas at Austin Center for Sustainable Development with each judge’s staff to focus attention on beneficial outcomes. The aims are to sharpen the questions facing the judges and broaden options for action. Lessons learned about processes and products will be shared.