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Williamson County Judge William Walker Gravel Jr. resigns to join SBA, sworn into federal post
Summary
Williamson County Judge William Walker Gravel Jr. announced his immediate resignation to accept a position with the U.S. Small Business Administration and was sworn in during the Commissioners Court meeting; the court scheduled a special meeting to consider formal acceptance and the process to appoint his successor.
William Walker Gravel Jr., the Williamson County judge, announced during the commissioners court meeting that he had resigned effective immediately to accept a role at the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Region 6 advocate for small businesses in the Office of Advocacy, and he asked to be sworn into that new post at the meeting.
Gravel said, "Today, after much prayer, I had made the decision to resign as Williamson County Judge effective immediately. I've accepted a role in president Trump's administration as the region 6 advocate for small businesses in America in the office of advocacy." He was administered the federal oath at the dais and completed the swearing-in during the public portion of the court meeting.
The announcement drew recognition from fellow commissioners, who praised Gravel's six years as county judge and highlighted county accomplishments during his tenure, including population and business growth. The court's presiding commissioner said the commissioners court would schedule a special called meeting to handle the formal mechanics of the vacancy and the appointment process.
The presiding commissioner said the court planned a special meeting for Friday at 11:00 a.m. to post an agenda that would include officially accepting Gravel's resignation, establishing procedures to fill the vacancy, and addressing interim administrative responsibilities such as signing purchase orders and appointments. The presiding commissioner noted that filling the vacancy will require at least three votes by the commissioners court.
Commissioners emphasized continuity of government and said county operations would continue while they plan the appointment process. No formal vote to accept Gravel's resignation occurred during the session; the court scheduled the separate meeting to take that formal action.
Gravel said he will continue to live in Williamson County while serving in the SBA role and thanked county employees and residents for their support during his tenure.
Looking ahead, the court will consider formal appointment procedures and any related interim assignments at the special meeting. The court adjourned the regular session after a scheduled executive session and returned to approve several consent and action items.
Ending: The court set a special called meeting to address the vacancy and the process for appointing a new county judge; a formal acceptance of Gravel's resignation and any appointment are to be decided at that meeting.
