Despite recent rains bringing welcome relief to parched soil and dry creek beds, Hill Country leaders remain focused on the region’s numerous water challenges. On March 26, 2025, more than 40 County officials and staff representing seven counties across the Hill Country gathered for a meeting in Austin to discuss how to represent constituent interests at the Texas Legislature, how to protect against bad bills, and how to defend water supply for Hill Country citizens.
Organized by Commissioners Stephen Germann (Guadalupe County), Jen Crownover and Kevin Webb (Comal County), Andra Wisian (Kendall County), and former Commissioner Lon Shell (Hays County), the workshop constituted the fourth such gathering of Hill Country leaders. Presentations focused on topics most critical to natural resource management, such as water supply, wastewater and stormwater quality and management, land use, the aggregate industry, and battery storage.
The group included county commissioners, engineers, planners, and groundwater conservation district managers from Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Travis, and Williamson counties. These leaders represent some of the fastest growing counties in the country. Joined by former State Representative Andrew Murr, Director of Constituent Services for State Senator Donna Campbell’s office Sonya Chapa-Weber, Comal County’s Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp, and Hays County lobbyist Denise Davis, the workshop empowered participants to navigate the Texas Legislature for their constituents and provided updates on key bills moving through the Texas Senate and House of Representatives.
