When Billy Caraway took office, Hardin County was working with a budget deficit. In a short period of time, not only was the budget brought back into the black, the county also enjoyed a budget surplus that could be used in the case of an emergency.
        Judge Caraway and Commissioners Court were able to do this without a major impact on the county's taxpayers. In fact, as property valuations increased, Caraway and the court lowered the tax rate to maintain a level tax burden on citizens.

        Billy Caraway has been instrumental in bringing federal and state grant money into Hardin County in a concerted effort to make sure the county is ready for any natural disaster it might encounter.
        Thanks to those grant dollars, made possible at times of need and thanks to Caraway's personal contacts in the highest levels of government, the county drainage system has been improved, bridges secured and roads repaired in the wake of hurricanes and flooding.
        In addition, generators are now available to key elements of the county infrastructure so that groups such as law enforcement and other first responders can render aid more quickly to county residents in need.

        When it appeared that Silsbee's Dragon Industries would locate in Austin instead of Hardin County, Billy Caraway worked hand-in-hand with Dragon officials to find a location not only in Hardin County, but an additional location in Liberty County. That assistance, at the time, brought 450 jobs to the county.
        In one simple action, Billy Caraway helped ensure that more jobs would remain in the county, bringing more income and, therefore, more tax revenue to the county and cities here.

        Billy Caraway goes to work wearing a tie most days but it is certainly not uncommon to find him wearing a black judicial robe.
        During his tenure as County Judge, Billy Carwaway has heard more than 20,000 criminal cases. Last year, he handled 2,680 cases in addition to his responsibility as the county's top-level leader. Those cases were handled at a cost of about $21,500 for the year.
        Some counties prefer to handle those cases through a County Court At Law. Judge Caraway says that just doesn't add up. A County Court At Law in Hardin County would cost taxpayers $400,000 a year, an expense Judge Caraway is determined to avoid.

        Billy Caraway understands that ignoring the past is a decision best left for fools. In that vein, Judge Caraway knows from past experiences that Hardin County must keep up with new technology while also maintaining a sense of fiscal focus.
        Caraway's courtroom is outfitted with a state-of-the-art audio-video system that not only protects the rights of those citizens who come before him during court session, but also saves countless tax dollars. Without the need for a court reporter, the county saves as much as $70,000 a year.
        The courthouse has recently seen an update of its phone systems, which allows citizens to access county leaders and serves more easily, and the Sheriff's Office will soon put into place a new broader-reaching 800mhz digital radio system, paid for with state grant money.

        All indications at the time had Hurricane Gustav's path heading right for Southeast Texas. With Hurricane Rita's devastation a not-so-distant memory, Billy Caraway ordered a mandatory evacuation.
        Gustav turned away from the region but the evacuation had still taken its toll in the cost of the lives of several elderly nursing home patients.
        When Hurricane Ike appeared to be setting its sights on Southeast Texas, Judge Caraway sought advice from mayors and county judges from across the region ... do we evacuate or not?
        Tens-of-thousands of people from the southern part of the region began evacuating northward several days ahead of Ike's arrival, clogging highways and crossroads in Hardin County. When Judge Caraway was faced with the decision, and after being reassured by state and federal officials that recovery grants would still be available, Caraway opted not to order a mandatory evacuation of Hardin County. He could not take the chance of unnecessarily costing more lives. Though there was no mandate in place, Caraway openly encouraged everyone in the county to voluntarily leave.
        In the aftermath, recovery money came slowly to the county not because of the decision not to make evacuation mandatory. Rather, the money had bottlenecked at the federal level. Only now is money finally coming available to Southeast Texas for Ike Recovery thanks in great part to the unwavering efforts of such officials as Congressman Kevin Brady, State Rep. Mike Hamilton ... and County Judge Billy Caraway.