Central Texas counties analyze their future community needs

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

May 13, 2004 -- For the second time in five years Texas Cooperative Extension offices across the state helped to facilitate Texas Community Futures Forum 2004. The first forums were held in 1999, and the purpose was still the same: "to solicit and prioritize citizens' opinions about the most important needs and concerns."

The results from the meetings will be used by Extension personnel to make long-range plans for educational programs from 2005-2008. Extension programs are open to all citizens of Texas, but with the huge diversity of people, counties, and needs, each county came up with their own agenda for the future.

Each county across the state tried to address two main issues at the meeting: "What are the critical issues facing people in our county over the next five years, and, Which entities (agencies, organizations, community groups, etc.) are positioned to best ad-dress these issues?"

First, participants were divided into several groups and asked to prioritize their needs, with each person voting on 10 issues. Once there was a consensus in the smaller groups, all groups met together to further prioritize the list down to the 10 most important issues as per the voting process.

In Llano County for instance, Extension agents Marilyn Hale, Todd Swift, Shea Nebgen and Kim Lutz facilitated the meeting which drew 53 participants from across the county.

The four main issues ad-dressed by the citizens who attended the meeting were: developing a recreation facility and entertainment for youth and adults; economic development, including more businesses and jobs and availability and affordability of housing; and tied for third was meeting health care needs and water quality, availability, managements and control.

Coke County addressed: cleaning up towns; increasing involvements of concerned citizens; and the lack of job opportunities.

With 37 participants attending the Williamson County forum, their priorities included: water issues, transportation and expanded partnership with Extension Service and school systems.

In Newton County, participants decided the top three issues included: 4-H Scholarship Auctions; public and patient transportation; and medical assistance.

As the 254 counties decide on their individual needs, Extension personnel will have their work cut out for them, addressing the varied needs across the state. Now that they have their county's key issues in hand, it will be up to the planning committees to decide on the best way to plan for future needs for the people of Texas.

(Country World staff writer Monette Taylor contributed to this story.)