NICHOLAS PRENZLER APPOINTED WASHINGTON CO. CLERK, EFFECTIVE AFTER BETH ROTHERMEL’S RETIREMENT

  

Washington County Commissioners moved today (Tuesday) to appoint a successor to County Clerk Beth Rothermel ahead of her retirement later this month.

Nicholas Prenzler will take on the role of county clerk at 5:01 p.m. on March 28^th, the date that Rothermel will step away after having served as county clerk since 1995.  He will fulfill the remainder of Rothermel’s term through the end of 2026.

Prenzler started out in the office in 2020 as a deputy clerk.  He was later promoted to assistant chief deputy and was most recently named chief deputy in December. 

Prenzler thanked Rothermel for her many years of service and the guidance she offered him, as well as the county for granting him this opportunity.

Prenzler graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016, earning a bachelor’s degree in history.  According to Rothermel, he is currently working on obtaining a master’s degree.  Prior to graduating from university, he interned under Lois Kolkhorst both during her time in the Texas House and the Texas Senate.

Prenzler said his goal is to embrace technology and utilize it to help increase the office’s efficiency. 

Before the court’s vote on Prenzler’s appointment, Rothermel said it has been “a privilege and an honor to serve this county” and feels Prenzler is “the right person at the right time with the right qualifications for this job.” 

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said Washington County is one of, if not the most, historic county in Texas and that he appreciates all of the effort put in by Rothermel and her office into preserving that history, adding it “is who we are as a community.”  

County Judge John Durrenberger said Rothermel has been very kind and supportive over the years, especially as he first took office as county judge.  He said working with Prenzler thus far has been “nothing but a pleasure” and that he looks forward to continuing to work with him in the future.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners approved a resolution to adopt a commercial tax phase-in agreement between the county and Del Sol Food Company, the maker of BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressing.  The county’s action follows that of the Brenham City Council, which approved the Del Sol agreement during its meeting last week. 

Del Sol intends to build out its facility to house a bakery division, increasing capacity for its non-salad dressing product lines and enhancing automation with new equipment.  The total capital investment is estimated at $14 million.  Del Sol presently has over 80 full-time employees in Brenham and seeks to add around 20 more.

In other items, the court:

• Appointed Suzanne Flasowski to the Washington County Child Welfare Board.
• Approved a resolution for the 2025 Indigent Defense Grant Program.
• Approved orders of public interest and plat revisions for the Timber Bridge subdivision in Precinct 2 and the Rolling Creek subdivision in Precinct 4.
• Read a proclamation declaring the month of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Washington County.
• Discussed a formal notice for a water service line installation by PGMS across the Colvin Road right-of-way in Precinct 3.  No action was needed.