2019 RECAP: WASHINGTON CO. JUDGE JOHN DURRENBERGER

  

With 2019 in the rearview mirror and 2020 full speed ahead, KWHI is asking Washington County elected officials about the issues faced last year by them and their administrations.

We wrap up with Washington County Judge John Durrenberger, who talked with us about his thoughts concerning the county’s challenges and achievements throughout the year.

Durrenberger said the county accomplished many things in 2019, including replacing the roofs of the courthouse and courthouse annex, providing a Mental Health Counselor at the Washington County Jail, participating in a sales tax abatement agreement for the Baker Katz retail project, and improving the county’s relationship with the City of Brenham. However, he said he’s particularly excited about the recently approved multi-mission helicopter program.

 

Durrenberger said some of 2019’s biggest achievements also proved to be major challenges, from working out the helicopter agreement, to setting up a pay raise plan for county employees, to figuring out how to head the 2020 Census.

 

Durrenberger said many projects started in 2019 will continue to develop in 2020, such as the helicopter project, the pay raise plan, and the building of the new Road and Bridge facility on Highway 36 North.

 

Durrenberger thanked and commended the commissioners court for helping him work through his first year in office, saying he appreciates the way commissioners took him under their wings. He said the court “pulled together very well”.

Durrenberger is heading into his second year as Washington County Judge, following his election in 2018. Durrenberger defeated previous County Judge John Brieden—who served from 2011 to 2018—in the March 2018 Republican Primary, and did not have a Democratic opponent in November’s General Election.