Roads, water and power chief concerns
Roads, water and electricity are the three topics Williamson County Judge Steven Snell says run through his head each day, and during a public appearance he shared his thoughts about finding solutions.
Snell was the keynote speaker at a Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 17, where he discussed the county’s ongoing exponential growth, including what he called “the recurring theme” of infrastructure needs — roads, water and electricity.
“It’s critical for the county to partner with its cities because cities have so much more power than the county to control development,” Snell told the audience at First Baptist Church.
Williamson County Judge Steven Snell discussed the recurring themes and concerns of the county — roads, electricity and water — at the monthly Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo by Emily Treadway
From 2020 to 2025, Texas grew by 2.6 million people. That number is expected to double in the next 25 years and could eclipse California, state demographers have said.
“That means we need roads, water and electricity,” Snell said. “And that infrastructure is very, very expensive.”
Snell noted county residents “might not like the how” of road construction or the installation of electrical lines or water infrastructure, but it is a small price to pay for the end goal.
He noted Williamson County Commissioners Court during a recent meeting supported an expansion project coming to Interstate 35.
“When we look at the potential growth coming into this area, we need (I-35) to be much larger than it’s going to be. We hate road construction, but we love it when we can travel (unimpeded) on roads,” said Snell, a former educator and superintendent.
Along with highways, Snell noted the need for electricity statewide, but he added, “We also need a water superhighway.”
During the commissioners’ Aug. 18, the elected representatives instituted a 90-day burn ban.
“Sometimes it rains a lot in Williamson County and floods, and sometimes it doesn’t rain for months,” Snell said.
Water is a crucial commodity and “it’s becoming more and more expensive,” he said.
Snell noted that every city in Texas is fighting as hard as they can to ensure there are no water shortages.
“That’s why (Williamson County) brought its cities together to study water, to see if we can come up with a regional solution,” he said.
Snell said the hope is to develop a plan to share costs, reducing the burden on local taxpayers. He also anticipates funding assistance from state grants.
“We’re very excited about the possibilities for some long-term 50-year, 100-year, solutions to our water. It’s not going to be easy, but if we don’t do it, where are we going to be in 50 years?” Snell said.
He acknowledged some people are critics of any growth.
“But if we dig in our heels and don’t try to grab that bull by the horns, they’re just going to build whatever, wherever, and we’re going to be left holding the bag,” he told the audience packing the meeting hall.
Williamson County Judge Steven Snell was the keynote speaker at the monthly Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo by Emily Treadway
