WilCo Gets Award For Financial Literacy Program

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County has been bestowed the Texas Association of Counties 2020 County Best Practices Award for its Financial Literacy Program, one of only six Texas counties so honored.

The award was developed by Williamson County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Evelyn McLean, according to a county advisory. McLean created the Financial Literacy Program after noticing a pattern among individuals who repeatedly got citations for driving without a license, an invalid license or lacking car insurance. The goal is to teach first-time offenders about general spending and budgeting tips that will improve their financial stability and in return help them avoid falling into a cycle of receiving more citations, officials explained.

“It is a great privilege to receive this prestigious statewide award from the Texas Association of Counties,” McLean said in a prepared statement. “It was certainly a team effort that brought this incredible program to fruition.”

McLean launched the program in April 2019, in collaboration with Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas and a $32,000 grant from Experian. Since its inception, more than 1,237 people have requested to take the financial literacy class, and as of November 10, 2020, 714 cases have been dismissed, officials noted.

“Our external partners, Experian and The Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, along with every single person in my office, played a role in making sure the Financial Literacy Program is and continues to be a great success,” McLean said.

The program’s success has led to its inclusion in other county departments, including Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace and the Williamson County Emerging Adult Program, according to county officials.

Every other year, TAC's County Best Practices Awards Program recognizes innovations and solutions that increase efficiency, improve operations, or help overcome obstacles county governments face. Innovations, like the Williamson County Financial Literacy Program, help county governments better serve their residents.

The award was presented during Tuesday's meeting of the Williamson County Commissioners Court. For more information on TAC’s County Best Practices Awards Program, click here.