Williamson County, Texas, is on a trajectory to double its population from roughly 760,000 today to 1.6 million by 2055 and 3 million by the end of the century. Managing that explosive growth falls to County Judge Steve Snell, who recently appeared on the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the county. The episode, published September 15, 2026, offers a rare look inside the office of one of Texas's busiest county executives.
Snell, who spent 31 years in public education, including leadership roles in Hutto ISD and as superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, explains that the role of a county judge is more akin to a CEO or emergency manager than a traditional courtroom judge. He oversees roughly 30 to 35 departments, from fleet services and animal shelters to the juvenile justice center and the Sheriff's Office. This expansive scope requires a hands-on approach, which Snell demonstrated by bringing a three-ring binder tabbed with budget lines, policies, and responsibilities to his interview.
The conversation covers the county's response to historic July floods, with lessons observed from Kerr County, and highlights economic development wins tied to major employers like Dell, Samsung, Compal, Apple, Firefly, Kalahari, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and the incoming Scheels in Cedar Park. These developments are crucial for job creation and tax base growth as the county expands.
Snell addresses the infrastructure strain caused by rapid development, particularly in unincorporated areas and MUDs. "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," he tells host Bryan Eisenberg. This proactive approach to transportation, water, and energy planning across cities like Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Florence, and Jarrell is essential to accommodate future residents.
Looking ahead, Snell points to the county's designation as a spaceport in partnership with the City of Cedar Park, its strategic location between Fort Hood and joint commands in downtown Austin, and Firefly Aerospace as the anchor of a growing space sector. These initiatives could diversify the local economy and create high-tech jobs. The episode also explores 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 praises 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.
For residents and business leaders, Snell's insights underscore the importance of strategic planning and collaboration to maintain quality of life amid unprecedented growth. His service-oriented philosophy, encapsulated in his statement that "at the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about service and it's about Williamson County," reflects a commitment to steering the county through its transformation. The full episode is available on the Rock Solid podcast.
