Gray County

Gray County Offices

Gray County Town List

Gray County, Texas, is named for Peter W. Gray, a lawyer, and politician from the state of Georgia. He served as Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson. He later became an American Civil War general, during the time he fought at Shiloh and Chickamauga.  

In 1866, Peter Gray was elected to Congress, where he represented Tennessee’s 6th district until his death on March 4, 1871. His son William H. Gray also served in congress.  

The seat for Gray county is Pampa city, with plenty to offer citizens of Gray County.  

Keep reading for more details about Gray County.  

History of Gray County 

Gray county was established in 1876 from the Bexar District. The first settlers were German immigrants. They came by wagon train through San Antonio de Béxar and settled along the Colorado River near what would become the town of Pampa.  

By 1880, over 1,000 people were living in the area that would eventually be known as Gray County. At this point, it had two towns: Pampa and New Braunfels. It wasn’t long before the railroad arrived, bringing new business opportunities. This led to further growth and development.  

Today, Gray County has several cities, including Pampa, Boerne, Canyon Lake, and Sattler.  

Currently, Gray county has different races, with Whites as the majority and Hispanics as the minority. Other races include African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders. 

Early settlers practiced agriculture as a way of life. Cotton farming was very popular because it provided income for families. Other crops included wheat, corn, oats, barley, beans, sorghum, sunflowers, tobacco, alfalfa, sugar cane, and hay.   

They also kept cattle, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs, cats, and mules. There were many different types of animals found throughout the county.   

Initially, the settlers used farm products for barter trade but soon began selling their goods directly to customers. Eventually, stores and markets opened up, providing additional services.  

These businesses helped establish the economy of Gray County. Many of these early businesses still exist today. 

Current Economy in Gray County 

The current economy is still agriculture-based, although some industries have developed since then. Examples include manufacturing, retailing, construction, finance, insurance, real estate, government, education, and health care.  

Others are transportation, communications, utilities, tourism, arts, entertainment, recreation, media, and professional services. 

In addition to farms and ranches, Gray County contains oil fields. Oil production started around 1900 when wells were drilled in the vicinity of present-day Canyon Lake. However, it wasn’t until after World War II that commercial drilling took place. 

Most oil goes into refineries in Corpus Christi, Houston, Beaumont/Port Arthur, Port Neches, and Baytown. A small amount is exported via pipelines. 

At the moment, industries employ almost half of the population. Retail sales account for another large portion. Agriculture remains important to the local economy. In fact, most residents work on farms or ranch land. 

Healthcare is also an industry in Gray County. Hospitals provide medical services while clinics help treat minor illnesses. Health Insurance companies operate here too. 

Education plays a big role in the community. Schools teach students to read, write, do math, study science, history, music, physical education, art,  and English. 

Generally, the economy of Gray county depends on different sectors within the county. 

Government Support and Jobs 

The Gray county government supports businesses and startups by offering tax incentives and grants. For example, the city of Boerne offers $10,000 per job created. Also, the county provides funding for schools, roads, bridges, police departments, etc. 

There are also job openings on the county level. The county has several positions available, including sheriff, constable, clerk, assessor, treasurer, district attorney, justice court judge, commissioners court member, and probate judge.  

Others are juvenile probation officers, animal control officers, public works employees, road department workers, emergency management personnel, and more. These positions are usually vacant once in a while. 

Some people choose not to get involved with politics. Others like to vote out politicians who don’t represent them well. Still, other voters want to elect candidates who will make changes that benefit everyone equally. This can be done through voting for political parties or running for office yourself. 

County News and Updates 

News and updates are available on the county’s website. It includes information about events going on at the courthouse and what’s happening throughout the county. There are links to various websites such as weather forecasts, crime reports, sports scores, school closings, traffic alerts, and much more. 

Citizens can still request information from their elected officials. They may ask questions regarding anything they would like answered. Officials respond promptly if there are any concerns. 

Financial Transparency 

Finances are key to understanding where the money comes from and where it goes. Citizens should know exactly how taxes are spent. That way, citizens have a say in whether or not those funds are being used correctly. 

The county government uses the following ways for transparency: 

• Tax Information- Tax information is made publicly available online. 
• Audit Reports: Audits report financial transactions and expenditures. 
• Transparency Report: A transparency report shows all payments made to outside contractors. 
• Budget: Budget documents show how finances are allocated among programs and projects. 
• Utilities: Utility bills include detailed invoices showing which utility was paid for each service provided. 

County Offices 

County offices link citizens to services offered by the county. Some offices include; 

The County Judge’s office undertakes duties related to courts and judicial matters. The current county Judge is Chris Porter. Call the office at 806-669-8007. 

The County Clerk Office handles records related to birth certificates, divorce decrees,  death certificates, adoptions, property deeds, liens, judgments, and many others. The office is under Jeanne Horton. Reach the office at 806-669-8004. 

The Sheriff’s Office enforces laws and protects lives and properties. The sheriff in charge is Michael Ryan. Call the office at 806-669-8022. 

The Treasurer’s Office collects revenue and distributes funds. The office is under Scott Hahn. Call her at 806-669-8009. 

The tax collector’s office collects sales taxes and real estate taxes. Gaye Whitehead heads it. Call the office at 806-669-8018. 

The County auditor’s office audits accounts receivable and payable. The auditor is Carla D. Carter. Call the office at 806-669-8001.