For the first time in more than three decades, Travis County’s southeast Precinct 4 has a new voice on the Commissioners Court. George Morales recently took office after succeeding Margaret Gómez, the county’s longest-serving commissioner, inheriting both a well-established legacy and growing challenges that include infrastructure demands, budget pressures and rapid growth.

In an interview with Austin Current shortly after beginning his term in June, with office walls still spartan and devoid of artwork or posters, Morales said he wants to accelerate long-awaited infrastructure projects, strengthen communication between county government and residents and build on Gómez’s work while taking on what he described as “a little bit more aggressive” approach to solving problems.

The road to commissioners court

Morales is a lifelong Austinite who grew up in Dove Springs, a large community within Travis County’s Precinct 4.

He has spent much of his career working in Travis County government. Most recently, he served as Precinct 4 constable, an office he was first elected to in 2016 and held for three terms. Prior to winning that seat, he had served as a deputy constable in the same office since 1999.

But his tenure has not been without controversy. Early in his career, he was terminated for “conduct unbecoming an officer,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

In a 2016 article, the Statesman reported that former Travis County Constable Maria Canchola accused Morales of sexual misconduct with two clerks in the Precinct 4 justice of the peace’s office after a night of drinking. Morales denied those allegations at the time, according to the Statesman.

Austin Current asked Morales about the incident after the interview. He declined to comment, saying his record of winning multiple elections since the allegations speaks for itself. Austin Current also attempted to contact Canchola but did not receive a response before publication.

Infrastructure priorities

Morales campaigned on improving infrastructure, such as roads, and strengthening communication between the county and local entities, such as Capital Metro and Central Health, a health care system serving low-income families.

He said he hopes to increase the pace of road improvements, including advocating for faster progress on projects managed by the state.

“We want to start pressing a little bit harder,” Morales said. “All these roads need to be fixed.”

Morales pointed to FM 812 as one of his top infrastructure priorities. The FM 812 improvement project will add lanes, shared-use paths and bridge improvements between US 183 in Travis County and SH 21 in Bastrop County. Morales said he wants better communication and clearer timelines from the Texas Department of Transportation as work moves forward.

Further, Morales said he wants to better educate residents on how infrastructure projects move through planning, funding and construction for a better understanding of why improvements are not immediate.

“I think we do a lot better if we’re on the same page,” he said.

Picking up where Gómez left off

Succeeding the longest-serving Travis County commissioner in history is no small task. Morales said he plans to build on Gómez’s legacy while taking on what he described as “a little bit more aggressive” approach.

Morales said his deep roots in the community will help him accomplish that by “meeting people where they’re at” and working with community organizations already serving Precinct 4.

Morales said those community ties will help him identify problems earlier and work with residents to find solutions quickly.

Balancing the budget

As Travis County prepares for its next budget, county officials are facing rising costs and increasing demands for county services, all departments have been asked to reduce spending by 5%.

Morales said he recognizes that the county must “tighten its belt” at times, necessitating a shift from spending on wants to needs.

He’ll make such decisions by prioritizing funding for projects such as roads while delaying purchases like replacement vehicles or equipment that could be repaired.

Being available for the community

Morales said community engagement and helping residents understand how county government works are central to his approach. He said he plans to regularly meet residents in their neighborhoods and communities, listen to their concerns and explain how county government works.

“I’ve been doing community outreach since I was 17 years old,” he said. “You had a voice with Margaret Gómez; you’re going to continue to have a voice with George Morales.”