Williamson County residents will soon see new leadership in one of the county offices most closely connected to homeownership, vehicle registration and public services.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted July 14 to appoint Catherine Totty as Williamson County tax assessor-collector. Totty is scheduled to begin serving in the position July 21, bringing more than 25 years of experience in banking, lending, financial services and business operations.

For homeowners, drivers, real estate professionals and businesses across Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor and the surrounding Williamson County communities, the appointment matters because the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office manages services that residents regularly rely on. Those responsibilities include collecting property taxes and assisting with motor vehicle registration and title transactions.

Totty Brings Decades of Financial and Leadership Experience

Totty has held leadership roles as an assistant vice president, branch manager, team lead and sales manager. Her work has included oversight of financial transactions, regulatory compliance, customer service and employee operations.

She currently serves as a sales manager and mortgage loan originator for Cardinal Financial Company. Her previous employers include Thrive Mortgage, R Bank Texas, Affiliated Bank, First Texas Bank and Bank of Hawaii.

Williamson County Judge Steve Snell said Totty’s professional background positioned her to lead the office and maintain reliable service for residents.

“Catherine Totty’s strong financial background and leadership experience make her well prepared to take on this responsibility,” Snell said. “We are confident she will provide steady leadership and continue delivering dependable service to Williamson County residents.”

Experience Includes Property Taxes, Escrow and Real Estate Transactions

Throughout her career, Totty has worked with residential, commercial and construction lending transactions. That experience has included reviewing property tax assessments, tax certificates, insurance records and escrow requirements — areas that closely intersect with the work of a county tax assessor-collector.

She also serves as a Texas Realtors continuing education instructor, teaching courses related to lending, property taxes, regulatory compliance and real estate transactions.

That combination of financial services, property tax knowledge and customer-facing leadership could help provide continuity for an office that serves residents during major financial moments, including purchasing a home, paying annual property taxes or completing a vehicle title transfer.

Totty earned a bachelor’s degree in English, cum laude, from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Appointment Follows Larry Gaddes’ Resignation

The appointment follows the Williamson County Commissioners Court’s June 12 acceptance of former Tax Assessor-Collector Larry Gaddes’ resignation.

Totty acknowledged Gaddes’ years of service and said she intends to build on the foundation established by him and the employees of the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office.

“I am deeply honored by the confidence the Commissioners Court has placed in me,” Totty said. “Larry Gaddes served Williamson County with dedication for many years, and I recognize I have big shoes to fill. I look forward to serving Williamson County residents with integrity, transparency and a commitment to exceptional customer service while building on the strong foundation he and the outstanding team in the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office established.”

What the Leadership Change Means for Williamson County Residents
The transition places Totty at the head of an office that directly affects property owners, taxpayers, motorists, lenders and real estate professionals throughout one of Central Texas’ fastest-growing counties.

As Williamson County continues to add homes, businesses and residents, demand for accurate tax records, responsive customer service and efficient vehicle registration services is also likely to remain high. Totty’s background in compliance, lending and financial operations will now be applied to the daily administration of those county services.

Residents seeking information about property tax payments, vehicle registration, title services or other office responsibilities can visit the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector webpage.

My Neighborhood News will continue following Williamson County government appointments, public services and decisions that affect local families, taxpayers and businesses.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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