Duane Peters
County Judge Duane Peters is a proud fifth generation Brazos County resident. Peters has deep roots in the community. He spent his childhood learning the ranching business from his family, attended first through twelfth grade in the Kurten and Bryan school districts, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a finance degree in 1972.
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During his time in college Peters met his wife, Bettie, and they married in 1973. Following graduation, Peters served in the Bryan Fire Department for seven years, working his way up to lieutenant.
In 1979, Peters decided that taking over the ranching business was best for his and Bettie’s growing family. For the next thirteen years, Peters focused on running, and expanding, the family’s ranching business.
Peters was elected Brazos County Constable in 1993 and served in this capacity until 2002 before being elected to serve as Brazos County Precinct 2 Commissioner from 2002 to 2010. In 2010, he was elected as the Brazos County Judge and has served in this capacity since.
In his free time, Peters may be found spending time on the family ranch with his wife, four daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren.
The County Judge is the most visible official in County government. Often thought of as the County’s chief executive officer, a County Judge has broad judicial and administrative powers, including serving as the presiding officer of the County’s policy-making body, the Commissioners Court.
Referred to as chief justice by early Texas constitutions, the current office of County Judge was established by the Texas Constitution of 1876.
Responsibilities and Services
The County Judge presides at meetings of the Commissioners Court and is responsible for filing and posting the agenda. The Judge is also head of civil defense, disaster relief, and County welfare.
Additional duties handled by the county judge include:
- County Election responsibilities:
- Calling elections
- Receiving and canvassing the election returns
- Posting election notices
- Performing marriages
- Preparing the county budget
County Judge’s Office
200 S. Texas Ave.
Suite 332
Bryan, TX 77803
Phone: (979) 361-4102
Fax: (979) 361-4503
Hours
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Marsha Anderson
Administrative Specialist
Email Marsha
Barbara Smith
Public Communications Officer
(Communications, Public Affairs, Social Media)
Email Barbara
Ken Smith
Digital Services Officer
(Web, Audio-Video, Digital Engagement)
Email Ken
A Mass Gathering is defined under Chapter 751 of the Texas Health and Safety Code as an event that can be defined by the following three conditions:
- A gathering that is held outside the limits of a municipality; and
- A gathering that attracts or is expected to attract more than 2,500 persons; or more than 500 persons, if 51 percent (51%) or more of those persons may be reasonably expected to be younger than 21 years of age and it is planned or may be reasonably expected that alcoholic beverages will be sold, served, or consumed at or around the gathering; and
- A gathering where participants will remain for more than five (5) continuous hours; or for any amount of time beginning at 10 p.m. ending at 4 a.m.
Permit Process for Gatherings of 2,500 or More
An application from the coordinator, manager, organizer or promoter of such an event must be received in to the County Judge’s office not less than 45 days before the event. The application is available at 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 332, Bryan, Texas 77803. An application may be obtained by request from the County Judge’s office at (979) 361-4102 during normal business hours. There is a $300 fee (nonrefundable) due at the time of filing of this application payable to Brazos County. A minimum fee of $250.00 for health inspection and a minimum fee of $250.00 for fire marshal inspection is also due at the time of filing of the application. Additional cost deposit may be required for law enforcement at the time a permit is considered.
A public hearing will be conducted no later than ten (10) days before the event. A person may not promote a mass gathering without a permit issued by the County Judge, pursuant to Section 751.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. A person commits an offense if the person violates Section 751.003. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable be a fine of not more than $1,000.00, confinement is the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both. The County Judge’s office will coordinate the hearing date and time with all affected parties. The hearing will be posted as a public meeting.
Representatives from the county health office, fire marshal, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Sheriff’s office will attend the hearing to ensure that the minimum standards in health and sanitation, fire safety and public safety and order are maintained at the gathering as prescribed by state and local laws, rules and orders.
Following the public hearing, the County Judge will grant or deny the permit as authorized by Section 751.007 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
The development, sustainability, expansion, and diversity of a regional economy are goals that are important to the continued success of a community and its citizens. As such, the Brazos County Commissioners Court has adopted economic development guidelines. The approval of the economic development guidelines establishes the commitment of the Commissioners Court to attract, retain, and expand industry while also encouraging economic diversity and quality job growth in the region.
Companies interested in pursuing a tax incentive must complete a tax incentive application and submit a $1,000 application fee before any tax incentive decisions may be made by the Commissioners Court. To request a tax incentive application, please contact the Brazos County Judge’s Office at (979) 361-4102.
The PACE Program is an innovative financing program that enables private sector owners of privately owned commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential properties with five or more dwelling units to obtain low-cost, long-term loans to pay for water conservation, energy-efficiency improvements, and renewable energy retrofits. PACE loans provide up to 100% financing of all project costs, with little or no up-front out-of-pocket cost to the owner.
To find out if PACE financing may work for your project contact a Brazos County PACE Authorized Representative: Texas PACE Authority or Lone Star PACE.
