AUSTIN - The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) has named Matagorda County a recipient of a 2024 County Best Practices Award.
This biennial award honors counties that have developed innovative and effective approaches to addressing local government challenges.
Matagorda County earned the award for its Youth Leadership Matagorda County program, which introduces local high school students to the workings of county government and key local institutions.
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, 17 students in the program’s inaugural class, representing all five of the county’s school districts, engaged in monthly sessions featuring field trips, tours and discussions with community and state leaders.
These activities covered a range of topics, including government, health care and economic development.
Led by Matagorda County Judge Bobby Seiferman and Jessica Russell, executive director of the Bay City Community Development Corp., and generously sponsored by Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF), Youth Leadership Matagorda County seeks to bridge educational gaps and encourage students to explore career opportunities in Matagorda County, contributing to its growth and enhancing its quality of life.
“Youth Leadership Matagorda County empowers our young people and strengthens our county’s future by inspiring the next generation to take an active role in local government and community right here in our own county,” Seiferman said.
“And as we are about to kick off the Class of ’25 program, we are incredibly proud of what our first group of students achieved, and we look forward to continuing this important initiative.”
The program’s success generated enthusiasm among local leaders and school superintendents, ensuring its continuation.
As it enters its second year, the program remains focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders for Matagorda County, Seiferman said.
“Texas counties face a wide array of challenges,” TAC Executive Director Susan M. Redford said.
“We commend Matagorda County for its Youth Leadership program. By investing in its young people, Matagorda County is investing in its future growth and success.”
Matagorda County is one of nine Texas counties to receive a 2024 County Best Practices Award. The other honorees are Denton, El Paso, Guadalupe, Harris, McLennan, Smith, Travis and Williamson counties.
Every two years, TAC’s Best Practices Awards program recognizes counties that demonstrate exceptional delivery of services.
These initiatives serve as replicable models for other counties.
TAC will present the Best Practices Award to Matagorda County during its Commissioners Court meeting on Oct. 21.
For more information about the Texas Association of Counties and the County Best Practices Awards, please visit www.county.org.
