The leadership dispute at the center of Fort Bend County government has deepened, bringing county business to a virtual standstill as competing lawsuits and a lack of quorum continue to prevent the Commissioners Court from conducting official business.
The latest impasse occurred during the July 9 Commissioners Court meeting, where nearly 40 agenda items—including discussions on road projects, staffing, and a new sheriff’s training facility—went unheard after the court failed to achieve a legal quorum.
The ongoing conflict centers on Daniel Wong, who has continued to serve as interim county judge despite objections from Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson and two Democratic commissioners.
Wong was appointed earlier this year after then-County Judge KP George was suspended while facing legal proceedings. However, after the civil lawsuit that led to Wong’s temporary appointment was dismissed following George’s sentencing, Smith-Lawson issued a legal opinion stating Wong’s authority to serve as county judge ended on June 17.
Wong disputes that interpretation, arguing the Texas Constitution’s “holdover” provision allows him to remain in office until a court determines otherwise. Earlier this week, he filed a lawsuit asking a district court to affirm his authority to continue serving. Smith-Lawson responded by filing her own legal action on behalf of the State of Texas seeking Wong’s removal from office.
Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting marked the second consecutive meeting to collapse because of the dispute.
Only Wong and Commissioners Vincent Morales and Andy Meyers were present. Although Meyers attended virtually, Texas law requires at least three commissioners to be physically present to establish a quorum, preventing the court from conducting business. Commissioners Dexter McCoy and Grady Prestage again declined to attend.
Ahead of the meeting, Wong pledged to continue performing the duties of county judge.
“My responsibility is to ensure that the business of Fort Bend County continues without disruption,” Wong said during a news conference.
McCoy, however, said his absence was rooted in legal principle rather than politics.
“As I have said from the beginning, I will not participate in a meeting presided over by someone who has been found not to be legally authorized to serve as County Judge,” McCoy said in a statement released before Thursday’s meeting.
“This is not about politics. It is about defending the rule of law, protecting the integrity of our institutions, and preserving the public’s trust in their government.”
McCoy added that although he would not attend the meeting, “the work you elected me to do will continue without interruption.”
The dispute is beginning to have broader implications beyond missed meetings.
Fort Bend County is entering its annual budget season, during which commissioners must adopt a tax rate and approve the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Political analysts warn that if the quorum issue continues unresolved, the county could face delays in approving its budget and funding county departments before the new fiscal year begins.
Smith-Lawson has argued that allowing Wong to continue acting as county judge could also jeopardize the legality of county actions.
“It makes the actions of the county voidable,” she told ABC13. “That could mean every contract that we sign… conducting meetings and having access to confidential information.”
No hearing date has been announced for either lawsuit, though officials have indicated they hope the courts will resolve the question quickly.
Until then, one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties remains without a functioning Commissioners Court, leaving major policy decisions, infrastructure projects and budget planning in limbo while the legal battle over who is authorized to preside continues.
