13th Annual Tri-County Region Issues Forum County Judges Ed Emmett, Bob Hebert, and Trey Duhon joked that they would solve the Astrodome problem at the WHA’s 13th Annual Tri-County Judges Forum on December 14, 2015. This year’s forum had a new panel format moderated by new President & CEO Auggie Campbell. The new format did not allow the judges to solve the problems with the Astrodome or get to questions from the audience, but did illustrate the differences between the counties by presenting the judges with the same questions. Each judge briefly discussed his counties’ 2015 accomplishments and 2016 priorities. Judge Emmett highlighted Harris County’s steady role and stellar financial position against a city with a more variable role and large public debt issues. Judge Hebert pointed out that Fort Bend County was the fastest growing county in Texas at one point and remains one of the top ten fastest growing counties in Texas with a population now exceeding 720,000. Judge Duhon also addressed the rapid growth in Waller County and Waller’s success facing off landfills and other challenges to Waller County’s growth and image. The judges were first asked which recent and upcoming changes, such as oil prices and high-speed rail, are most likely to affect our area and how their counties operates? Judge Emmett said that high-speed rail would provide substantial benefits to the City of Houston but it would present challenges in the unincorporated areas. Judge Hebert said that Fort Bend County was not affected by high-speed rail, but oil prices would slow (but not stop) the pace of growth. Judge Duhon explained how high-speed rail provided little benefit to Waller County and, like most development, should involve input from the community to avoid unintended consequences. Next the judges responded to a question on how their counties cooperated with cities and special districts to better provide services and more efficiently use taxpayer dollars. Judge Emmett said that the collaboration on Transtar was a landmark collaborative project that should be renewed by the parties—Transtar’s contract expires next year. Judge Hebert gave many examples of collaborations but noted that one of the most successful initiatives is a regular meeting he has with the eighteen municipalities in Fort Bend Counties. While these meetings never have a set agenda, the discussion always turns up problems where they work towards a solution. Judge Duhon noted that work with municipalities, like Hempstead and Waller, and agencies like, TXDOT and TCEQ, were critical to allowing Waller County to develop. The last question posed to the judges was which transportation and infrastructure projects are top priorities for their counties. Judge Emmett preferred that U.S. Highways 290 and 288 were top priorities along with the Grand Parkway. Judge Duhon echoed the need to finish and expand U.S. Highway 290. Judge Hebert listed many priorities, joking that the Astrodome had to be at the top, but said that in all seriousness Texas Heritage Parkway was perhaps the most anticipated project in Fort Bend County.