The Victoria County Judge and Commissioners Court are pleased to announce the return of Victoria County 360 (VC360), a free six-week public engagement initiative designed to foster a greater understanding of county government through direct citizen participation. Now entering its second year, VC360 builds on the success of its inaugural program by offering residents an even deeper look into county operations and economic development.

Victoria County 360 is designed to inform and empower residents by providing a structured, comprehensive, and transparent look at how county government serves the community. Through guided tours, interactive sessions, and discussions with county officials, participants gain meaningful insight into the services, responsibilities, and daily operations that support Victoria County.

Sessions will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, from September 28 through November 2. Elected officials and department leaders will present on topics including public safety, criminal justice and courts, public health services, emergency management, infrastructure and development, and county history. Applications are now open as of May 4 and will close on Monday, July 20. A detailed agenda will be provided to selected participants.

“We are proud to bring back this initiative and continue offering residents meaningful opportunities to engage directly with county leaders, gain fresh perspectives on county operations, and learn more about the services and progress shaping Victoria County,” County Judge Ben Zeller said.

For additional information and to apply for the Victoria County 360 program, please visit vctx.org.

On April 20, 2026, the Victoria County Commissioners Court officially appointed Karen Cline as the new Victoria County Elections Administrator. Cline joins the organization following a thorough search by the Victoria County Elections Commission and a unanimous selection.

Karen Cline is a sixth-generation Texan whose family helped found Titus County. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Public Administration. She spent six years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. Most of her professional career has been in government service. She has held various roles at the East Texas Council of Governments, worked in the County Auditor’s Office in Aransas County, served as an ad valorem appraiser in both Aransas and San Patricio Counties, and was the treasurer and city secretary for a town in Arkansas. She is also a graduate of Leadership Aransas County, Class XVIII. Additionally, she is a past board member of the Texas Alliance of Information and Referral Specialists and the Greater East Texas Community Action Agency.

In addition to her professional credentials, Cline has long been passionate about giving back to her community through volunteer work with nonprofit organizations and by leading community-focused projects.

“The Elections Administrator position plays a vital role here in Victoria County,” said Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller. “After a thorough search for our next Elections Administrator, we selected Ms. Cline, and we are confident that her experience and dedication to public service will serve our community well.”

On April 6, 2026, the Victoria County Commissioners Court welcomed Crystal Riemenschneider as the new Victoria County Animal Services Director. Riemenschneider joins the organization just a few months after Animal Services relocated to its new facility at 513 Profit Street.

“I am beyond excited to welcome Crystal to our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization, and I am confident she will do an outstanding job leading our Animal Services department,” said Commissioner Sexton.

Riemenschneider brings years of leadership experience and a strong commitment to animal advocacy. With more than a decade of hands-on experience in animal rescue, she has dedicated her career to protecting and advocating for vulnerable animals. She is the founder of Spay Neuter Your Pet DeWitt County, a nonprofit organization focused on spaying and neutering to address the root causes of overpopulation and create sustainable, community-driven solutions.

In addition to her work in animal welfare, Riemenschneider brings 13 years of experience in Child Protective Services, where she worked to protect at-risk children and families. This role strengthened her ability to assess complex situations, make critical decisions under pressure, and advocate for those without a voice.

Her leadership background also includes serving as a Jail Captain, where she supervised more than 30 employees, managed daily operations, and collaborated with public officials and community stakeholders.

“Victoria County Animal Services has been on an incredible trajectory, making positive changes for animals,” said Riemenschneider. “I am looking forward to working alongside an incredible team to carry out our mission with compassion, care, responsibility, and protection.”

Victoria County has received $20,000,000 from Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the project to build the first new ground-up mental/behavioral health facility our area has seen in years. Site work is ongoing at the location adjacent to Victoria Regional Airport for the Victoria County Mental & Behavioral Health Facility, which is projected to cost approximately $40,000,000.

“As with creating our regional public defenders office, constructing a ground-up mental and behavioral health facility is filling a very real need for people in our area. It’s excellent to see dirt being moved on this project, and we are highly appreciative of all the support we’ve received from the state in this effort, particularly our dedicated State Senator Lois Kolkhorst. This is a project that committed people have been working on for some time to move from the drawing board to blueprints to becoming a reality. This twenty million we’ve received from HHS will help move another major County initiative forward,” Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller stated.

Victoria County Engineer and Floodplain Administrator John A. Johnston, PE, CFM was recently recognized for his leadership and long-standing contributions to floodplain management at the Texas Floodplain Management Association Conference. Johnston received the Roy D. Sedwick Service Award, one of the organization’s most distinguished honors.

The Roy D. Sedwick Service Award may be presented annually, when deemed appropriate, to an individual who has demonstrated long-term leadership within the association and made significant contributions that have clearly influenced and advanced the organization. The award was created in honor of Roy D. Sedwick, founder and former executive director of the Texas Floodplain Management Association.

The Texas Floodplain Management Association (TFMA) is comprised of more than 2,500 professional members across Texas who serve in a variety of roles related to floodplain management and disaster preparedness. The organization’s mission is to support professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, flood preparedness, warning, and disaster recovery.

Johnston has been a member of TFMA since 1990 and has served the organization in numerous leadership roles throughout his career. TFMA recognized Johnston as the 2000 Floodplain Manager of the Year following the recovery from the 1998 Victoria Flood of Record.  His contributions include providing training and professional presentations, serving as Regional Director for Region 8, Vice Chair of the association, and participating on several committees dedicated to advancing floodplain management practices across the state.

Johnston is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Nationally Accredited Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) bring more than 36 years of professional experience in engineering and floodplain management, including 33 years of service to the Victoria community.  Johnston currently serves as Chairman of the Region 11 Guadalupe Flood Planning Group.

“We are incredibly proud of John and the work he continues to do on behalf of our County. This award is well deserved,” said Commissioner Sexton.

Passengers flying out of Victoria Regional Airport will soon experience an upgraded aircraft and enhanced onboard amenities. Beginning February 25, SkyWest Airlines will introduce the CRJ-550 aircraft serving Victoria through United Airlines’ Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) hub.

Victoria Regional Airport will be only the second market in United’s IAH system to receive CRJ-550 service, marking a significant upgrade for travelers in the region.

The CRJ-550 will operate on the afternoon turn flight between Victoria and Houston, replacing the current aircraft, CRJ-200, while maintaining a 50-seat configuration. The upgraded, larger aircraft features a true first-class cabin, premium economy seating, and dedicated storage space for roll-aboard luggage, amenities not typically available on aircraft of this size.

Passengers will also benefit from updated flight times. The morning departure from Victoria will remain at 5:30 a.m., while the evening departure will move to approximately 7:30 p.m., replacing the current 4:30 p.m. departure. The later flight provides greater flexibility for business travelers, allowing visitors to maximize a full workday before departing Victoria.

Airport officials say the upgraded aircraft and updated schedule reflect continued demand for regional air service and provide enhanced travel options for residents and businesses throughout the Victoria area.

Victoria County Commissioners Court will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Victoria County Animal Services facility on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 513 Profit Street. The free event is open to the public and will include guest speakers, facility tours, and special adoption promotions.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new, fully renovated facility and participate in same-day adoption specials. Guests will receive 50% off adoption vouchers, and the first 10 adoptions will receive a dozen roses in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Light refreshments will be provided.

The new 16,000-square-foot facility represents a more than $3 million investment by Victoria County to expand and improve local animal services. The building was generously donated by the Heilker family in December of 2023.

Facility upgrades include a state-of-the-art cleaning and sanitation system, fully indoor kennels and runs in a climate-controlled environment, expanded storage, a walk-in freezer, and other improvements designed to enhance operations and animal care.

Victoria County Commissioners Court and Victoria County Animal Services officials will be on hand to mark the opening and speak about the impact the new facility will have on the community.

Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller has been selected to serve as Chair of the Legislative Committee for the County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT) during 2026 in preparation for the next regular session of the Texas Legislature in 2027. Zeller previously served in this role in 2024, when CJCAT was preparing for last year’s highly challenging 89^th Session of the Texas Legislature.

The appointment was made by Parmer County Commissioner Kirk Frye, President of CJCAT. Central purposes of this statewide organization of County Judges and Commissioners include promoting and improving county government. As Chair of its Legislative Committee, Judge Zeller will spearhead efforts to shape policies that preserve local decision-making authority, limit negative impacts of unfunded mandates or costs being shifted by the legislature onto local communities, ensure adequate state funding for mental health and juvenile justice needs, and improve local infrastructure.

“I’m humbled by the trust that County Judges and Commissioners across Texas continue to show me, and it’s an honor to be chosen again for this legislative leadership role. Given the number of state positions that will have new faces after this year’s elections, it’s very important that we communicate clearly about challenges or issues facing communities. Texas counties will be on the front lines of those efforts,” Zeller said.

Founded in 1923, the County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas has over 1,200 active members representing all 254 counties across Texas. Promoting best practices in county government, providing educational resources, and encouraging active participation in governmental affairs are central to the mission of the association.

“Standing up to attacks by Austin special interests on community decision-making, stopping unfunded mandates that inflate local property tax bills, and ensuring that law enforcement officers are equipped with the resources they need will be some of the focus areas for CJCAT going into next year’s legislative session,” Judge Zeller concluded.

Victoria County Precinct 3 Commissioner Shannon Martin is expanding access to the Precinct 3 Courtesy Station to better serve residents. Beginning Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Courtesy Station will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays and will operate from 751 Grouse Road.

The Courtesy Station will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days. The updated schedule and hours will take effect on February 4, 2026.

Residents are encouraged to note these changes and plan their visits accordingly. The Precinct 3 Courtesy Station will continue to offer the same services at the new location.

For more information or questions, visit vctx.org or call (361) 578-8212.