Williamson County, Texas, is on a trajectory to nearly double its population from roughly 760,000 residents today to a projected 1.6 million by 2055 and 3 million by the end of the century. In a new episode of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, titled "Judge Steve Snell | Williamson County's Explosive Growth," host Bryan Eisenberg speaks with Williamson County Judge Steve Snell about how he is steering the county through this unprecedented expansion.
Snell explains that the role of a county judge in Texas is more akin to that of a CEO and emergency manager than a traditional courtroom judge. Drawing on 31 years in public education, including leadership roles in Hutto ISD and as superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, Snell brings a methodical approach to overseeing roughly 30 to 35 departments, from fleet services and animal shelters to the juvenile justice center and Sheriff's Office. He describes arriving to his interview with a three-ring binder tabbed with budget lines, policies, and responsibilities—a habit he credits to his educator background.
The conversation covers the county's response to historic July floods and lessons observed from Kerr County, underscoring the emergency management responsibilities of the office. Snell also highlights 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. These developments are part of a broader strategy to diversify the tax base and create jobs as the county grows.
Long-range planning for transportation, water, and energy across cities including Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Florence, and Jarrell is a central focus. Snell addresses the challenge of growth in unincorporated neighborhoods and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), telling Eisenberg: "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." This quote illustrates the infrastructure pressures that accompany rapid residential development.
Looking ahead, Snell points to the 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 anchor of a rapidly expanding space sector. He and Eisenberg also discuss 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.
Reflecting on his motivation, Snell says, "at the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about service and it's about Williamson County." The episode is available now wherever podcasts are heard, offering listeners insight into the decisions shaping one of America's fastest-growing regions. For more information about the podcast, visit Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast.
