Williamson County, Texas, is on a trajectory to double its population from roughly 760,000 residents today to 1.6 million by 2055, and Judge Steve Snell is at the helm of the county’s response. 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 interviews Snell about his multifaceted role and the county’s future. The episode, published September 15, 2026, offers a candid look at how one of Texas’s fastest-growing counties is managing unprecedented expansion.
Snell explains that the job of a county judge is less about presiding over a courtroom and more akin to being a CEO and emergency manager. With oversight of roughly 30 to 35 departments—ranging from fleet services and animal shelters to the juvenile justice center and Sheriff’s Office—Snell’s responsibilities are vast. Drawing on 31 years in public education, including leadership roles in Hutto ISD and as superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, he brings a methodical approach to governance. He even arrived at his interview with a three-ring binder tabbed with budget lines, policies, and responsibilities, a habit he credits to his educator background.
The conversation delves into the county’s emergency response after historic July floods, with lessons observed from Kerr County. Snell also 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 part of a broader strategy to diversify the tax base and create jobs as the county grows.
Transportation, water, and energy planning across cities including Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Florence, and Jarrell are critical. Snell describes the challenge of unincorporated neighborhoods and Municipal Utility Districts (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.” This pragmatic approach underscores the infrastructure strain that comes with rapid population growth.
Looking ahead, Snell sees a new wave of industry for Williamson County. He 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. 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.
Reflecting on his service, 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, providing listeners with an inside look at how one of Texas’s busiest county executives is steering growth.
