Profiles in Government: Denton County

The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest population figures last week, noting several Texas counties as fastest growing in the U.S. due to net domestic migration.

Denton County is among them, having reached more than 1 million residents sometime in the last two years. According to the numbers, 23,657 people moved there in 2022 and another 19,262 did so in 2023.

The county’s total combined FY 2024 recommended budget was $395 million, a 6.57 percent increase from FY 2023.

Leadership:
County Judge Andy Eads was first elected to his position in 2018.

CIO Kevin Carr leads the Department of Technology Services, which provides multiple services including geographic information systems (GIS), network services and public safety and courts technology, among others.

TECH BUDGET

Denton County’s recommended tech budget includes multiple line items relating to IT and communications.

• $7.5 million for countywide technology
• $3.4 million for public safety and courts technology
• $3.3 million for technology services
• $3.2 million for the Telecommunications and Network Department
• $3.2 million for the county clerk’s records management fund
• $2.1 million for information security

Of note, the county seat is the city of Denton, known as an educational center. It boasts two universities: the University of North Texas with a world-renowned music school, and Texas Woman’s University, known for its health sciences programming.