WASHINGTON CO. ENGINEER TO JOIN TxDOT
Washington County Engineer Ross McCall is taking a position with TxDOT.
At today’s (Tuesday) Washington County Commissioners meeting, the court announced that McCall’s last day with the county will be on Friday. McCall, who became County Engineer in 2018, will be joining TxDOT’s Bryan District to work in their Transportation, Planning and Development section.
McCall said the county’s Engineering and Development Services Department has grown over the past three and a half years. He pointed to the completion of the department’s new facility on Highway 36 North, the county-wide implementation of a geographic information system (GIS), and new workflow solutions software to help with work orders and respond more quickly and efficiently to constituents.
Members of the court thanked McCall for his service to the county, with County Judge John Durrenberger saying commissioners do not want to see him go, but they wish him the best.
Commissioner Candice Bullock said McCall “revolutionized” the department and has done more than many people are aware of. Commissioner Don Koester said McCall “thinks out of the box” and that the change in the department from before McCall joined the county to now is “night and day.”
Also at today’s meeting, the Chappell Hill United Methodist Church Women presented a donation of $800 for the benefit of the EMS station in Chappell Hill. The money was raised through the group’s various fundraising efforts.
Also in court, commissioners:
- Met in executive session to discuss personnel matters and deliberate the duties of a public officer pursuant to Texas Government Code. No action was taken.
- Approved a resolution appointing the Washington County Adult Sexual Assault Response Team. The state has enacted local government code for the creation of county adult sexual response teams, which the state believes will strengthen the response and enhance health and judicial outcomes for adult sexual assault survivors. Members include Lindsey LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC); Ron Parker, Brenham Police Chief; Julie Renken, Washington County District Attorney; Otto Hanak, Washington County Sheriff; Niki Johnson, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at Baylor Scott & White Hospital; Robert Reed, Director of Behavioral Health Operations at MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley; or any other designees or persons considered necessary for the operation of the response team.
- Passed an order approving online education for county commissioners. The order allows for permanent online instruction for the continuing education of county commissioners, after first being implemented as a result of COVID-19.
- Approved formal notice for two road bores to repair water leaks. One is from PGMS and the Central Washington County Water Supply for a road bore on South Berlin Road, while the second is from PGMS and the Oak Hill Water Supply for a road bore on Pin Oak Drive.
- Approved a 60-day extension of 22.75 excess vacation hours for Edward Ortega with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.