2020 RECAP: WASHINGTON CO. JUDGE JOHN DURRENBERGER

  

With 2020 wrapping up, KWHI is visiting with Washington County officials and getting their input on how they and their administrations handled the issues of this year.

We continue with Washington County Judge John Durrenberger, who went over what he thought were the county’s biggest challenges and achievements in 2020.

Durrenberger considers the completion of the new Engineering and Development Services (EDS) facility to be one of the county’s top accomplishments this year, along with the continued improvement of the county’s relationship with the City of Brenham.  He also continues to be impressed by Washington County EMS’ multi-mission helicopter program.

 

Durrenberger said the low point of 2020 was certainly the COVID-19 pandemic, in no small part because of the fear and uncertainty it caused.

 

The arrival of COVID-19 did prompt what Durrenberger believes to be some of this year’s high points, however.  He applauded the work of the county’s maintenance department to ensure citizens and employees stayed safe by implementing protective measures in county buildings, and said the creation of the Joint Information Center helped relay accurate information about the coronavirus to the public.

Durrenberger hopes “peace and quiet and everyday business” will be the name of 2021, but there are some projects the county will hope to move forward with next year.  A new pay raise plan set up in 2019 took effect in 2020, but due to budgetary constraints caused by COVID-19, the plan was put on hold.  He said he hopes the county can proceed further with the plan next year.

With the EDS facility now finalized, Durrenberger said the county can now make plans for another building project: a new judicial center.

 

Durrenberger is moving into his third year as county judge after being elected in 2018.  Durrenberger defeated previous county judge John Brieden—who had served since 2011—in the March 2018 Republican primary, and was unopposed in the November 2018 general election.