Forty county officials and staff from across the Texas Hill Country gathered at the Capitol on Oct. 22 for a workshop focused on flood mitigation, natural resource protection and regional legislative priorities.
The 10th County- to-County Coalition workshop brought together county leaders, conservation experts, development professionals, state legislators and staff to discuss nature-based solutions, low-impact development and the challenges of rapid growth. Five Hill Country county commissioners hosted the event.
“The people we serve expect us to understand the challenges of rapid growth, use the tools we have, and pursue solutions when those tools fall short,” Kendall County Commissioner Andra Wisian said. “Working together has helped us do that with greater focus and a stronger shared voice.”
The workshop opened with a presentation on nature- based solutions, including available resources, funding opportunities and case studies from across the Hill Country. Justin Kozak of The Nature Conservancy and Deborah Reid, technical director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, discussed approaches to managing stormwater, protecting water quality and strengthening natural systems while accommodating continued development.
After lunch, sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties, participants heard from members of the Hill Country legislative delegation and their staff about natural resource priorities and opportunities to advance county interests during upcoming legislative sessions.
Sen. Pete Flores, Sen. José Menéndez and Rep. Erin Zwiener addressed the group and answered questions about their priorities for the 2027 legislative session. Staff members from the offices of Sen. Donna Campbell, Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Sen. Sarah Eckhardt also shared their expertise.
Afternoon discussions focused on identifying shared legislative priorities. Participants examined policy recommendations related to clarifying and expanding county authority over groundwater availability certifications and regulations; increasing funding for the Flood Infrastructure Fund; requiring counties to receive notification of extraterritorial jurisdiction disannexations alongside cities; and strengthening county authority to manage impervious cover, particularly in flood-prone areas.
Participants emphasized the need to give counties effective tools to address rapid growth while protecting groundwater supplies, reducing flood risks and preserving the natural resources that sustain Hill Country communities.
The County-to-County Coalition is led by Hill Country county commissioners who have hosted 10 workshops since 2024. The gatherings bring county leaders together to discuss natural resource management and regional policy challenges.
Previous workshops have addressed water supply, wastewater and stormwater quality and management, land use and extraterritorial jurisdiction, the aggregate industry and other issues associated with population growth throughout the region.
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works with a coalition of partners to preserve the open spaces, night skies, clean water and distinctive character of the Texas Hill Country. More information is available at hillcountryalliance.org.
For more information, contact Jennifer Berrong at jennifer@hillcountryalliance. org.
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