Williamson County, Texas, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, and County Judge Steve Snell is at the helm of managing its explosive expansion. In a recent episode of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, Snell spoke with host Bryan Eisenberg about the challenges and opportunities facing a county expected to grow from roughly 760,000 residents today to 1.6 million by 2055 and 3 million by the end of the century.
The conversation, published September 15, 2026, reveals that the role of a county judge in Texas is far from a traditional courtroom position. Snell, who spent 31 years in public education, including leadership roles in Hutto ISD and as superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, describes the job as more akin to a CEO and emergency manager. He oversees approximately 30 to 35 departments, ranging from fleet services and animal shelters to the juvenile justice center and the Sheriff's Office.
Emergency response was a key topic, particularly in the wake of Williamson County's historic July floods. Snell shared lessons observed from Kerr County and emphasized the importance of preparedness as the county continues to grow. The discussion also covered economic development wins tied to major employers such as Dell, Samsung, Compal, Apple, Firefly, Kalahari, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and the incoming Scheels in Cedar Park.
Infrastructure planning is a critical focus, with long-range transportation, water, and energy strategies spanning cities including Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Florence, and Jarrell. Snell highlighted the strain on unincorporated neighborhoods and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), stating, "When you build 1,000 homes next to an old two-lane road and all the construction trucks tear it up, we need to come and fix that for mobility and safety, or we need to expand it."
Looking ahead, Snell sees the space sector as a major driver of the county's next wave of industry. He pointed to Williamson County's designation as a spaceport in partnership with the City of Cedar Park, its geographic position between Fort Hood and joint commands in downtown Austin, and Firefly Aerospace as the current anchor of a rapidly expanding space sector. The episode also delved into trade education, workforce development, veteran employment as service members transition out of Fort Hood, and entrepreneurship classes in Liberty Hill high schools, where a chamber president now teaches students.
Snell praised the efforts of Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Cedar Park's Plug and Play, and partnerships with Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long on land acquisitions for future schools and parkland. His approach to the job is methodical, arriving at his interview with a three-ring binder tabbed with budget lines, policies, and responsibilities—a habit he credits to his educator background.
Reflecting on his service, Snell said, "At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about service and it's about Williamson County." The episode provides a comprehensive look at how one of Texas's busiest county executives is steering growth while maintaining quality of life.
For more information, the episode is available on the Rock Solid podcast.
