I’ve watched Tarrant County grow and thrive. Here’s why I’m optimistic for its future

Glen Whitley
·3 min read

It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly 26 years since I first took the oath of office to serve on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. At the time, I was eager to jump in and learn all that I could about county government and serving this community. Even now, decades later, I feel that there’s still more to learn and projects left to complete.

But here is what I know for sure — Tarrant County is special. Sure, it’s easy to think those are sentimental words from a retiring elected official, but it’s the truth.

Tarrant County continues to be one the fastest growing counties in the nation, and we show no signs of slowing down. When I was first elected county judge in 2006, I talked about how commissioners serve all 1.8 million people in our county. That number is now over 2.1 million. People are moving to Tarrant County for our quality of life and abundant opportunities, and we are just getting started.

Retiring Judge Tom Vandergriff, left, swears in newly elected County Judge Glen Whitley standing by his wife Brenda Whitley. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Tarrant County Family Law Center in Fort Worth on January 1, 2007. ( Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Jill Johnson)
Retiring Judge Tom Vandergriff, left, swears in newly elected County Judge Glen Whitley standing by his wife Brenda Whitley. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Tarrant County Family Law Center in Fort Worth on January 1, 2007. ( Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Jill Johnson)

Tarrant County is also special in its modeling of good governance. One only has to look around at other major urban counties to see partisan division and rancor. Here in Tarrant, we’ve managed to work across the aisle to do what’s best for all citizens.

One of the more recent examples is the establishment of our Mental Health Jail Diversion Center, a project spearheaded by Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks that I was proud to help shepherd. I’m a Republican and he’s a Democrat, but by working across the aisle and finding areas of common ground, our Commissioners Court established a center that will connect those experiencing a mental health crisis with resources, while also reducing the tax burden to house them in our jail.

These policy “win-wins” are possible — and Tarrant County is showing how to get it done. It’s something I’m very proud of, and I hope it can serve as a model and not just an outlier.

As I prepare to hand over the gavel to the next county judge, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every one of you — our Tarrant County citizens who make this the best place to live, work and raise a family. We have seen a quarter-century of change and growth together, and I believe we have built something special.

Glen Whitley in a celebrity cook-off in 2003. (Star-Telegram file photo)
Glen Whitley in a celebrity cook-off in 2003. (Star-Telegram file photo)

Tarrant County can be a model for leading with a collaborative spirit that puts people above parties and solutions above politics. But that spirit is bigger than whoever sits at the Commissioners Court dais. It is a responsibility that rests on every citizen’s shoulders, including you. Because of that, I’m pretty optimistic about the future of Tarrant County.

It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your county judge. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude so, for now, I’ll just say: God Bless America, God Bless Texas, and God Bless Tarrant County.

Glen Whitley, a Hurst Republican, retires as Tarrant County judge at the end of the year.

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