RICHMOND, Texas — The political and legal standoff surrounding Fort Bend County Commissioners Court showed no signs of easing Thursday as Democratic Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy again refused to attend the court’s regular meeting, while Interim County Judge Daniel Wong and Republican Commissioners Andy Meyers and Vincent Morales proceeded with county business.
The meeting marked another chapter in a dispute over whether Wong is legally authorized to continue serving as interim county judge after the civil lawsuit that led to his appointment was dismissed following former County Judge KP George’s sentencing in June.
The absence of Prestage and McCoy left the three Republican members conducting the meeting. Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 81, commissioners courts generally require a majority of members to constitute a quorum. The central legal dispute is not whether three members constitute a numerical quorum, but whether Wong is lawfully occupying the county judge’s seat. That question is now pending before the courts.
The legal controversy stems from competing interpretations of Texas law governing temporary judicial appointments. County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson has maintained that Wong’s temporary appointment automatically terminated when the underlying civil litigation was nonsuited, leaving only the four elected commissioners as lawful members of Commissioners Court unless a new court order is issued.
Wong has continued serving as interim county judge while litigation over his authority proceeds.
County Attorney Again Refuses Closed Sessions
The legal dispute again surfaced during Thursday’s meeting when the County Attorney’s Office declined to participate in executive session discussions involving pending litigation.
First Assistant County Attorney Michelle Turner maintained that Smith-Lawson, as the county’s elected chief civil legal officer, is the only attorney authorized to advise Commissioners Court under the Texas Open Meetings Act’s attorney consultation exception.
“Under Open Meetings, there is a very special designation for the attorney for the governing body,” an attorney from the County Attorney’s Office told the court. “That is a unique designation that is held by the elected official.”
Turner rejected suggestions that the office was refusing to perform its duties.
“It is inappropriate and unprofessional to say we’re refusing to do our job,” the attorney said. “We hold a professional license that has a code of ethics.”
The office argued that because it is actively representing the county in litigation concerning Wong’s legal status, it could not ethically participate in executive sessions concerning those same matters while the dispute remains before the courts.
Debate Cancelled After Wong Withdraws
Outside Commissioners Court, the political dispute escalated further after the Fort Bend Regional Partnership announced Thursday morning that its planned county judge candidate forum had been canceled.
The organization said Wong had withdrawn from the event, resulting in the cancellation of the forum and refunds for attendees.
In a written statement, Wong said he would not participate in a debate while McCoy continues refusing to attend Commissioners Court meetings.
“The people of Fort Bend County deserve elected officials who show up, conduct county business, and fulfill the responsibilities they were elected to perform,” Wong said.
“Until the Precinct 4 Commissioner returns to work, I will not appear alongside him at a candidate forum. Doing so would only reward and normalize his refusal to serve the people of Fort Bend County.”
Wong said his focus would remain on county operations rather than “political theater.”
McCoy sharply criticized Wong’s decision, accusing the Republican nominee of avoiding public scrutiny.
“Daniel Wong is afraid to face the music,” McCoy said in a statement.
McCoy said Fort Bend County residents and the local business community deserved an opportunity to hear both candidates discuss their vision for the county before November’s election.
“Fort Bend County deserves leaders who don’t hide from voters or tough questions,” McCoy said.
The two men are opposing one another in November’s election for Fort Bend County judge.
McCoy Defends Continued Boycott
McCoy continued to argue Thursday that participating in meetings presided over by Wong would expose the county to unnecessary legal risk.
Earlier in the day, McCoy told ABC13 that he had submitted written notice explaining his decision not to participate.
“As an elected officer, I swore an oath to uphold the law of this State and the Constitution,” McCoy said. “I take that oath seriously.”
McCoy said he is relying upon legal guidance issued by the County Attorney’s Office, which concluded Wong no longer possesses legal authority to serve as county judge absent a new court order.
“It would be reckless to the business of Fort Bend County and its residents to do otherwise,” he said.
McCoy also submitted a letter to County Clerk Laura Richard preserving his objections for the public record.
In the letter, McCoy argued that once the underlying civil lawsuit was dismissed, Wong’s temporary authority was extinguished as a matter of law and that any subsequent official actions could later be challenged or declared void.
He further asserted that continuing to recognize Wong as county judge creates potential legal exposure for county taxpayers.
Public Comments Focus on Wong’s Authority
Much of Thursday’s public comment period centered on Wong’s continued service.
Resident Vicki Coffman urged Wong to resign pending resolution of the litigation, arguing that stepping aside would protect taxpayers from additional legal expense and potential liability.
She questioned why Wong would continue serving when the courts have yet to resolve the dispute and criticized repeated public criticism of County Attorney Smith-Lawson for issuing her legal opinion.
Resident Terry Webster likewise argued Wong’s appointment ended automatically when the civil lawsuit was dismissed and urged Commissioners Court to postpone agenda items requiring Wong’s approval until the courts issue a final ruling.
Webster contended the county risks future legal challenges to official actions if Wong is ultimately determined to have lacked legal authority to serve.
Mathews Praises Commissioners Who Attended
Republican Precinct 4 commissioner candidate Ken Mathews also addressed Commissioners Court during public comment.
While speaking on agenda items involving travel expenses, Mathews thanked Wong, Meyers and Morales for attending the meeting.
“I would like to say thank you for showing up today,” Mathews said. “It’s important that we get the county business done.”
Meyers Defends Continuing Business
Following the meeting, Commissioner Andy Meyers issued a written statement defending the court’s decision to continue considering agenda items submitted by commissioners who are boycotting meetings.
“We are not going to do that,” Meyers said when addressing suggestions that absent commissioners’ agenda items should simply be removed.
“The people of Fort Bend County elected us to conduct the public’s business, not to engage in political retaliation.”
Meyers argued that if commissioners truly believe Commissioners Court lacks legal authority to act, they should stop placing their own contracts, expenditures and appointments on the agenda.
“You cannot claim Commissioners Court lacks the authority to act while simultaneously asking that same court to act on your behalf,” Meyers wrote.
He said the remaining members would continue considering all agenda items regardless of who submitted them.
Political Divide Continues
Following the meeting, Communications Director for Interim County Judge Daniel Wong, Bobby Eberle criticized the continued boycott to press, arguing that Prestage and McCoy were engaging in political strategy rather than governing.
Eberle questioned why the absent commissioners continue submitting agenda items if they believe the court lacks legal authority to conduct business.
“They’re either playing politics or they’re stupid,” Eberle said. “I’ll let the voters decide on which one it is.”
The legal dispute over Wong’s authority remains pending in state district court.
Until a judge resolves the competing legal interpretations, Commissioners Court continues operating under sharply divided views regarding the legitimacy of Wong’s appointment, with Republicans maintaining county business must continue and Democrats arguing participation would legitimize actions they contend may ultimately be declared unlawful.
