When David U. Flores steps down as Williamson County Auditor on January 1, 2017, he will have served 28 years in his position. Back in 1989 when he was sworn in as county auditor, the county had less than 400 employees and an annual budget of $10.9 million. The county’s bond rating was a low investment grade of BBB-, and the county had to take out a loan to ensure that it would make payroll. However, during his tenure, Flores advanced and shaped the county’s financial policies so that it could better manage the tremendous growth that was imminent and improved the county’s bond rating to AAA, the highest rating possible, as well increased the county’s cash reserves in the general fund to an estimated $84.2 million.