Williamson County department heads outline staffing, IT and facilities funding needs at budget hearing

Department heads and elected officials told the Williamson County Commissioners Court at a special meeting that they will seek dozens of new staff positions, expanded information-technology support and one-time facility and equipment funding as the county prepares next year's budget.

The presentations, delivered to the commissioners at a roughly 10:08 a.m. meeting, ranged across public safety, courts, elections, infrastructure, the tax office and other county operations. Officials repeatedly warned that federal grants and short-term ARPA positions are phasing out and that state or local funding will be needed to preserve services.

The point was underscored by County Attorney Diaz, who said the office currently has five ARPA-funded positions that it seeks to retain in the general fund and requested six additional hires — four attorneys and two investigators — to meet rising juvenile and discovery workloads. Diaz also urged continued investment in IT to process discovery and AG reporting requirements.

District Attorney Sean (district attorney) said his office will need to absorb three ARPA positions into the general fund and expects a new district court next year that typically brings nine employees; he estimated an immediate need for three staff and three more later…