Liberty Hill Superintendent tapped as new Williamson County judge
After a four-hour interview session, Williamson County Commissioners Court appointed Steven Snell as the new county judge, March 27.
“I’m very excited and honored to be named the next judge for Williamson County,” Mr. Snell said. “I’m excited to work with the great team of commissioners and the great employees of the county. Can’t wait to get to work.”
Mr. Snell was one of four finalists up for consideration to replace Bill Gravell, who resigned to take a position in the Trump administration earlier this month.
Mr. Snell has served as Liberty Hill ISD superintendent for six years. During his tenure, the district grew nearly 130 percent in enrollment. As superintendent, he led the community through two successful bond elections in 2021 and 2023. The bonds proposed funding to improve school facilities and technology, totalling $471.1 million.
Prior to that, he served as superintendent for Spring Hill ISD and assistant superintendent for Hutto ISD.
Mr. Snell is a Leander resident who is an active community member, participating on several boards and councils including the Liberty Hill Economic Development Council Board and Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University.
Commissioner Cynthia Long made the motion and Commissioner Terry Cook seconded. The commissioners approved the vote 3-1, with Russ Boles of Precinct 4 opposing.
“The choice has got to carry us into the future, and it’s coming at us hard and fast,” Commissioner Cook said. “I think Steven Snell is ready to take us there.”
The judge seat had been vacant since March 11. On March 14, commissioners officially accepted Mr. Gravell’s resignation and began searching for applicants to serve out the remaining term. Commissioners met applicants over the phone or in person, as schedules allowed. Finalist candidates were brought before the court on March 25.
The other candidates included:
Andrew Webb: Watkins Insurance Agent who is part of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and who has formerly served as a of Georgetown ISD’s Board of Trustees and the City of Georgetown’s Planning and Zoning Committee
Matt Powell: Business and political consultant, and former mayor of Cedar Park
Elvis Lossa: Policy Coordinator for the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and former Operations Manager for the U.S. Army
The four of you today made it a really hard decision,” Commissioner Long said after Thursday’s interview process. “I look forward to continuing to work with those whom we didn't select in your various roles in the community and thank you for participating. But Steve, I'm excited, and I think you will do a bang-up job. We are blessed, I think, to have such a great leader as our next county judge.”
Presiding Officer Valerie Covey thanked the candidates for applying and for working with commissioners through the process.
“We will be talking with Steve about the timing of moving forward, because I know that he has some things that he needs to wrap up [before] he can come and sit here and join us in this government adventure,” Commissioner Covey said after the vote.
Mr. Snell will serve until the next general election on November 3, 2026.
The next commissioners court is scheduled for April 1 at 9:30 a.m.