Courtesy Sheriff’s Department,

 AUSTIN, Texas. – Webb County is one of nine in Texas to be honored by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Leadership Foundation during TAC’s annual conference in Austin.

The programs were selected to receive high honors for innovation, achievement and delivery of service in the 2010 County Best Practice Awards, which recognize county initiatives that serve as a model to others and save taxpayer monies.

“These tough economic times necessitate that counties be pro-active and creative in providing services that improve their communities while, at the same time, saving taxpayer money, said Kaufman County Judge Wayne Gent, chair of the foundation.  “These county programs are doing just that, and we are proud to honor them for their achievements.”

The Webb County Sheriff’s Office is being honored for Achievement in the category of Public Safety & Corrections.  Specifically, the Webb County Sheriff Office will be honored for its Jail Intelligence Unit and its work combating illegal narcotics—including averting a murder plot at a Texas prison facility— through a grant the Sheriff’s Office was awarded by the Department of Justice.  The Unit has provided intelligence on gang communications and hierarchy.  It has compiled more than 255 reports since its formation.  Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar is very proud that the Jail Intelligence Unit is being honored for its efforts in combating illegal narcotics and illicit gang activity. 

The Webb County Sheriff’s Office will be honored during a Sept. 2 reception at the TAC conference, with a video about the program being shown to conference attendees.  Other counties receiving Best Practice awards are Bee, Bexar, Houston, Madison, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor and Williamson.

The TAC Leadership Foundation focuses on developing leadership skills, strategic policy planning, and disseminating best practices of innovation and achievement. Programs of the Foundation will help county officials align citizens’ visions for their communities with county governance and develop operational skills necessary to achieve that vision.  Members of the board include Gent; TAC President-Elect and Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Betsy Price, foundation vice chair; TAC President and Roberts County Judge Vernon Cook; TAC Past President and Brazos County District Clerk Marc Hamlin; Navarro Justice of the Peace Connie Mayfield; TAC Board Member and Tom Green County Treasurer Dianna Spieker; and Taylor County Commissioner Chuck Statler.

“I am very proud of my staff.  Since creating this unit, we disseminated crucial information to other law enforcement agencies that has impacted positively.  Supporting the mission that this newly created unit has, which is to provide public safety in our community”.  Sheriff Martin Cuellar stated.