Community Development & Government

We provide educational resources, workshops and technical assistance to communities throughout Texas, promoting the development of individual abilities and community support for creating and growing businesses, jobs, wealth and income.

Related Departments: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Flags flying in front of Texas Capitol building

Texas 4-H Leadership & Citizenship Program

In the Leadership and Citizenship project area, our young Texans gain the experience necessary to become the informed and capable leaders and citizens of tomorrow. With multiple opportunities in global education, public speaking, community service, and more, all youth can find a fit in Texas 4-H.
5 children attending 4H Day at the Capitol

Learn About
Community Development & Government

Publications

Publication

Many Americans have an acute sense of time scarcity-the feeling that they lack enough time to do all they want to do. Park and recreation managers have been slow to address time scarcity. This is unfortunate because the survival of their organizations may well depend on their being regarded as a wise use of constituents’ […]

Publication

Recreation research shows that there are marked inequalities among population groups in terms of their participation in different leisure activities and their use of the local, regional and national park and recreation services. Those who do not visit parks often tend to be female, older, members, of a minority group, and have lower levels of […]

Publication

Communities that are designed thoughtfully for walking increase the likelihood that residents will exercise more and become healthier. One of the easiest ways for most people to exercise more is by walking. This factsheet discusses walking as a leisure activity and a way to become healthier, as well as features that make walking routes attractive […]

Programs

We offer numerous free and affordable programs on agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, economic health and youth development. We also offer many volunteer opportunities. Browse the list below.
Program

The V.G. Young Institute of County Government, part of The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, provides continuing education for elected county officials across Texas.

Program

Texas Rural Leadership Program provides adult leadership and community development for rural individuals, communities, organizations, and regions.

Program

TALL is a comprehensive, two-year leadership enhancement study program of agricultural policies and environmental issues for emerging leaders in Texas agriculture.

Courses

Course

This course is designed to explain the purpose of Special Inventory and give an overview of the process.

Course

County budgets can be complicated but provide for county services for citizens. Tax Assessor-Collectors and their staffs will understand the basic responsibilities of a budget officer, recognize the procedures for planning a budget and identify the fees, expenses, and methods of collecting costs for providing services.

Course

The county tax office serves almost every resident of their county – every property owner, every auto owner, and many others. Providing effective customer service to all taxpayers promotes the public’s trust in the tax office as the first point of contact for the taxing entities they serve.

All Resources on Community Development & Government

  • Course

    The County Tax Assessor-Collector (TAC) is by statute the registrar of voters. Upon completion, Tax Assessor-Collectors will be able to describe duties for voter registration, understand the purpose and procedures for using and reporting of Chapter 19 funds, and list items that can and cannot be requested under Chapter 19.

  • Course

    This course will help Tax Assessor-Collectors understand the duties for collecting motor vehicle sales tax, duties for remitting motor vehicle sales tax to the Comptroller, bonding requirements, procedures for retaining…

  • Course

    Did you know that email, internet posts, instant messages, and text messages are all subject to open records requests? This basic course in records management will help you understand public information requests, rights of requestors, your responsibilities of response, and the management duties of the county tax office.

  • Course

    Employers and supervisors are tasked with keeping their organizations in compliance with employment laws. Designed for the general public, this course provides an overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and sexual harassment. (TDLR #27113)

  • Publication

    Many Americans have an acute sense of time scarcity-the feeling that they lack enough time to do all they want to do. Park and recreation managers have been slow to address time scarcity. This is unfortunate because the survival of their organizations may well depend on their being regarded as a wise use of constituents’ […]

  • Publication

    Recreation research shows that there are marked inequalities among population groups in terms of their participation in different leisure activities and their use of the local, regional and national park and recreation services. Those who do not visit parks often tend to be female, older, members, of a minority group, and have lower levels of […]

  • Publication

    Communities that are designed thoughtfully for walking increase the likelihood that residents will exercise more and become healthier. One of the easiest ways for most people to exercise more is by walking. This factsheet discusses walking as a leisure activity and a way to become healthier, as well as features that make walking routes attractive […]

  • Course

    This 1-hour course covers the 7 tenets of the Code of Ethics and Sections 94.70, 94.71, 94.72 and 94.73 of the Property Tax Administrative Rules. This course has been approved by the Property Tax Assistance Division of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for all property tax professionals.

  • Course

    This course is designed to guide participants in the essential functions of the county tax office. Upon completion, participants will earn 2 hours of continuing education credit from the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

  • Course

    County Tax Assessor-Collectors, Deputies and their staff must continuously work to promote an ethical environment in the county tax office to avoid negative perceptions. This course defines ethics, reviews basic terms, ethical conduct and consequences of unethical behavior.

Have questions? We can help!

As part of our extension mission of Serving Every Texan, we aim to make contacting our experts easy. Find the best fit for your needs:

Localized Information & Resources

Domain Knowledge & Topical Expertise

Media Inquiries & Resource Scheduling