On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Liberty Hill Independent reported that Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell resigned from his position effective immediately. Gravell made this announcement just before a scheduled meeting of the Commissioners Court on March 11. He will be taking on a new role in President Trump’s administration as the Region 6 advocate for the Small Business Administration, specifically in the Office of Advocacy.

In his new position, Gravell will represent a five-state area that includes New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Following his resignation announcement, he was sworn into this new role by Judge Betsy Lambeth.

In a statement, Gravell expressed his honor at being appointed to represent the interests of approximately 4.5 million small businesses in the South-Central region of the United States. He reflected on his roots, mentioning his upbringing at 1402 East Main Street in Round Rock, Texas, and how he never anticipated having the opportunity to serve at a national level.

Gravell served as Williamson County Judge since January 1, 2019. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth in the county’s appraised value, which increased from $84 billion to $180 billion. His leadership coincided with the establishment of over 12,500 new small businesses and the expansion of major corporations such as Apple, Samsung, and Kalahari.

In addition to his economic contributions, Gravell played a crucial role in the county’s emergency management efforts during various local disasters. He led the county’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic after only a year in office and was involved in the management of responses to multiple fires, tornadoes, and winter storms. Gravell ensured that county resources were effectively mobilized to assist residents and that state resources were requested as needed.

With Gravell’s departure, the office of county judge is now vacant. According to local government regulations, the remaining commissioners will appoint a temporary judge to serve until the next general election, which is scheduled for November 3, 2026. In the interim, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, as the senior member of the Commissioners Court, has assumed the role of Judge Pro-Tem and presided over the Commissioners Court meeting.

 

 

Source: Liberty Hill Independent