Liberty County Judge Jay Knight is preparing to begin his fourth term in January 2027, but he already knows how he wants his 16 years in office to end — with a new county jail nearing completion, a comprehensive drainage plan in place and major transportation improvements moving forward.
During a wide-ranging interview on Bluebonnet News’ “Headlines and Heartlines” podcast, Knight confirmed that he does not intend to seek another term after the one he was elected to this week. By the time his fourth term ends in December 2030, he will be 75 years old and ready to spend more time with his wife, Jan, and family.
Knight, a lifelong Dayton resident who previously served on the Dayton City Council and the Dayton Community Development Corporation, said he entered county government in January 2015 with five priorities: improving law enforcement, addressing transportation needs, tackling drainage problems, encouraging economic development and replacing the aging Liberty County Jail.
Twelve years later, Knight believes the county has made significant progress, although much work remains.
His goal during the next four years is to finish as much of that work as possible and leave his successor with a foundation on which to build.
New jail remains a top priority
Among the most significant projects moving forward is the county’s planned 500-bed jail, which will be constructed behind the Liberty County Law Enforcement Center on SH 146 in Liberty.
Last month, commissioners decided to proceed with the 500-bed option rather than a more expensive 600-bed facility. Knight acknowledged that he favored the larger option but said the county had to recognize its financial limitations.
The county has approximately $110 million available for the project, and Knight emphasized that officials intend to work within that amount rather than seek additional financing.
The facility is being designed with future expansion in mind. According to Knight, the overall site plan could eventually accommodate as many as 1,200 beds, with centralized kitchen and support facilities serving future additions.
Knight said the county currently spends approximately $4.5 million annually to house inmates in other counties, including daily housing fees, medical expenses and transportation.
In some cases, deputies must travel several hours to retrieve inmates for court appearances and then return them to the facilities where they are being housed. The arrangement also complicates access to attorneys and the courts.
Knight estimated that the money currently spent on outside inmate housing would cover more than half of the annual debt service associated with the new jail.
The county is negotiating a guaranteed maximum construction price. Although Knight can not provide a groundbreaking date at this time, he said the conceptual design and general footprint have been established.
The county owns approximately 70 acres around the Law Enforcement Center, which will not only provide room for the jail but for future expansion.
As for the existing jail on Beaumont Avenue, Knight said the county intends to repurpose it once the new jail is finished. Possible future uses include overflow housing, juvenile detention, housing female inmates or leasing space to another operator.
Drainage plan could shape development for decades
Of the five priorities Knight identified when he first took office, drainage is the one that gives him the greatest satisfaction.
Liberty County has long struggled with flooding, particularly as agricultural land has been converted into residential developments. Knight said the county’s historic drainage infrastructure was designed largely for agricultural fields rather than subdivisions, highways and other development.
Liberty County once had six drainage districts, but only three remain. Three water control and improvement districts also still operate independently within the county.
Rather than relying solely on individual projects, Knight pursued a comprehensive countywide drainage study to guide future development and support applications for state and federal grants.
The opportunity came after Hurricane Harvey, when Liberty County was allocated approximately $21.3 million in disaster-related funding.
Knight requested permission to redirect the funding toward a countywide drainage study and plan rather than spend it on individual projects addressing limited areas.
The request was approved through the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and the study is now approaching completion. Knight estimated that approximately six months of work remain.
The project includes detailed topographical mapping using LiDAR technology and approximately 288 survey benchmarks throughout the county.
Once completed, the information will be available to county officials, cities, drainage districts, developers and the public. Residents and prospective property buyers will be able to better understand drainage conditions and flood risks associated with particular properties.
Knight described the plan as a living document that can be updated as conditions change.
He also said the county is strengthening its drainage requirements, with the goal of ensuring developers account for the effects of their projects and pay for necessary infrastructure.
One of his greatest concerns is avoiding mistakes made in heavily developed areas of Harris County, where flooding problems have required expensive corrective measures after construction.
Knight said the comprehensive plan will also provide documentation needed to compete for future flood mitigation grants.
Growth brings opportunities and challenges
Knight believes Liberty County’s population growth is far from over, particularly in the western portion of the county.
He identified Dayton, Cleveland and Tarkington as areas where development will continue, although some properties are poorly suited for construction because of floodplain conditions.
Growth has also created challenges for county government, school districts and transportation systems.
Knight explained that new development can place immediate demands on public services even though additional property tax revenue may not be fully realized for approximately 18 months.
Much of the discussion about growth centered on Colony Ridge, the sprawling development in northern Liberty County that was already underway when Knight took office in 2015.
Knight said Texas law gives counties limited authority over development in unincorporated areas. The county’s primary regulatory responsibilities involve roads, drainage and certain infrastructure requirements.
County officials have attempted to negotiate better development standards, including lot sizes and road designs, but state law limits their ability to restrict growth.
Knight recalled traveling to Austin to request additional time for counties to review subdivision plats. At the time, counties had 90 days to conduct reviews, and he hoped lawmakers would extend that period to 180 days.
Instead, the Legislature shortened the review period to 30 days, making it more difficult for counties to thoroughly evaluate large developments.
Despite the challenges, Knight emphasized that property owners have the right to sell their land and people have the right to move into Liberty County.
For longtime residents concerned about losing the county’s rural character, he acknowledged that the transition from an agricultural economy to one increasingly shaped by residential and industrial development can be difficult.
Knight’s own family history is tied to that agricultural past. His father, Joe Audway Knight, worked for Dayton State Bank before managing the American Rice Growers Association in Dayton for 47 years.
Knight said he hopes future development can be managed in ways that preserve quality of life while accommodating the county’s growing population.
Transportation improvements remain a major focus
Knight discussed several transportation projects he believes will help Liberty County cope with continued growth.
Among them is the eventual widening of the Grand Parkway (SH 99), which arguably has become one of the most dangerous roadways in Liberty County as it has single lanes of travel in two directions.
Knight said additional lanes are expected to move forward within the next three years, although he did not provide a construction start date.
He also identified replacement of the FM 787 Trinity River bridge as a project already included in transportation planning.
Another priority is improving US 90, which Knight said is receiving renewed attention as an alternative freight corridor to Interstate 10.
Knight serves on a regional committee examining improvements to US 90 and said plans are in place to eventually provide four lanes extending to Devers.
In Dayton, Knight discussed efforts to improve traffic circulation around the city, particularly near the railroad tracks.
He said a potential bypass route involving FM 1413, crossing SH 146, traveling through a River Ranch Boulevard and on to FM 1409 could eventually provide relief. A longer-range concept would extend the route across the Trinity River toward FM 563, although such a project could be 10 to 15 years away.
He also discussed Plum Grove Road and the challenges of improving transportation in the rapidly growing Colony Ridge area.
Knight said he has repeatedly raised concerns about the intersection of FM 1010 and Plum Grove Road with TxDOT officials, particularly because of roadway conditions and flooding.
The county has participated in a transportation study through H-GAC and is now working on a thoroughfare plan intended to identify where future roads and improvements will be needed.
Property taxes and county finances
Knight acknowledged residents’ frustration with the county’s recent property tax increase, saying he shares their concerns as a taxpayer.
However, he said county officials must balance keeping taxes low against the growing cost of law enforcement, roads, bridges and other essential services.
He noted that the county’s tax rate had been higher in previous years before being lowered as property values and the tax base changed.
Knight said county government receives a relatively small portion of the total property taxes paid by residents, even though many associate their entire tax bill with the county.
He also emphasized that county commissioners are primarily responsible for maintaining existing county roads rather than constructing major new transportation systems.
Knight said attracting industrial development is one way Liberty County can strengthen its tax base without relying exclusively on residential property owners.
He pointed to Chambers County as an example of a county that benefits from substantial industrial activity despite having a smaller population.
For Liberty County, Knight believes the southwestern portion of the county is particularly well-positioned for industrial growth because of its proximity to SH 146, US 90, rail lines and the Port of Houston.
He said economic development planning has focused on identifying appropriate industrial areas while minimizing conflicts with residential communities.
County animal shelter remains on the agenda
Knight also addressed the continuing effort to establish a county animal shelter.
He said Commissioners Court has taken steps toward designing a facility, including authorizing the search for architectural services and later approving the hiring of an architect. However, he clarified that those actions should not be confused with a vote to construct a shelter.
Knight said he would like to see the project move forward as soon as possible but could not provide a construction timeline.
Funding is one consideration, but staffing and long-term operating expenses may present even greater challenges.
The county has discussed locating a shelter near the Law Enforcement Center, where low-risk jail trustees could potentially assist with animal care.
Knight acknowledged that a single shelter would be difficult for residents throughout the geographically large county to access. Ideally, the county could eventually have facilities serving both northern and southern areas.
He also expressed support for exploring programs that could reduce the number of unwanted animals, including spay-and-neuter initiatives.
H-GAC involvement helps Liberty County compete for funding
Knight’s involvement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council has provided another avenue for addressing regional transportation and infrastructure needs.
He served as chairman of the organization’s board of directors in 2025 and continues to represent Liberty County as a voting board member.
Knight participates in multiple H-GAC committees and regularly travels to Houston for meetings.
He explained that the regional council of governments plays an important role in administering and coordinating funding from state and federal sources.
Among the projects discussed was Dayton’s railroad overpass, an undertaking Knight said began receiving serious attention in 2015.
The project required years of planning, negotiations and efforts to secure funding from multiple sources.
Knight recalled traveling to Omaha to meet with Union Pacific representatives as local officials worked to identify an acceptable route for the overpass. The railroad’s control of its property complicated those discussions and influenced the location selected.
Knight said his continued involvement with H-GAC is important because he believes all 13 member-counties should remain engaged in regional planning discussions to ensure their needs are not overlooked.
Working together and preparing for the next generation
Throughout the interview, Knight repeatedly returned to the importance of cooperation among elected officials.
He said Commissioners Court is most effective when members listen to one another, set aside personal differences and focus on what will provide the greatest benefit to residents.
Knight also discussed the demands of serving as county judge, including emergency management responsibilities, presiding over Commissioners Court and handling certain judicial matters.
He said future county judges may need to consider transferring probate and guardianship responsibilities to other courts as the county’s population and administrative workload continue to grow.
Knight acknowledged that the position has brought criticism and difficult moments, but said his focus remains on completing the work he started.
Asked what he hopes people will remember about his time in office, Knight said the only promise he made was that he would work hard.
For Knight, whose family roots in Dayton stretch back generations, serving Liberty County is personal. His parents, brother and numerous relatives attended Dayton High School, and he believes his familiarity with the community gives him a particular interest in its future.
“You think about it, can you have an impact on what happens, not just to your community, but to the entire county?” Knight said.
He said the next county judge better have on running shoes as he or she will inherit a community facing tremendous growth and will need the energy and willingness to build on the work already underway.
As Knight looks toward his final four years in office, he knows the challenges facing Liberty County will not disappear when his term ends in 2030. Growth will continue, roads will need improvements, and future leaders will have difficult decisions to make. His hope is that the work accomplished during his administration will provide a foundation for those who follow.
For Knight, Liberty County is home, and he wants to leave it in capable hands.
“That’s what I want to see happen with the next person who comes in — that they build on what we’ve accomplished,” he said.
To hear the full interview with Judge Knight, click the link below: