At the culmination of her term in January, Debra Bramlett will be retiring from her position of Hockley County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Starting her career with Hockley County in 1990, she was considered part time for her first three years on staff. Once she was considered full-time, Bramlett was responsible for property taxes. “Working with many people through the years, Mary Hinojosa was a great friend and helped me and trained me throughout the time we worked together,” said Bramlett. “Christy Clevenger was my boss until she decided to retire after 40 years.”
Serving as a deputy for 17 years, handling property taxes, motor vehicle registration and even served as the voter registrar. Eventually, Bramlett was elevated to chief deputy where she spent five years in the position.
Once Clevenger decided she would not run for position, Bramlett felt the calling to run for tax assessor and collector. At the end of her current term, she will have been in the position for 12 years. After 33 years working for the county, Bramlett felt this was the right time to retire.
“I have three grandchildren that are growing up and I am not spending as much time as I would like with them currently,” said Bramlett. “My oldest grandchild is in high school and he is involved in a lot of activities. That requires a lot time that I would like to spend following my grandchildren and even my younger ones.”
Seeing her family continue to grow, Bramlett is eager to spend as much time with her family as possible. Having one daughter, a son-in-law and three grandchildren, she is eager to be more involved.
“My husband has been retired for several years and he is certainly ready for me to retire so we can do things we have always wanted to do,” explained Bramlett.
Bramlett highlighted how great working for the county has been during her time with her coworkers. Enjoying her time assisting the taxpayers of the county is what allowed her to spend her career in one place.
“It is not fun place to come, but I have strived to make it as painless as possible for our community members,” said Bramlett. “I do feel like I have failed with that these past few years as we have changed software companies and so there have been a lot of growing pains.”
She explained that if there are questions she does not know, it can be hard for her to help to the best of her ability.
“We have been learning the new system, but we still try to go above and beyond because most individuals do not want to spend their time in the tax office,” said Bramlett. “We talk to the customers and get them in the right place or take care of them ourselves. We have to work together for it all to work.”
Building a lot relationships with the taxpayers throughout the years, Bramlett has helped generations of families needing help in the tax office.
“It is interesting being able to help mothers, daughters and see everyone grow up,” said Bramlett. “ I have enjoyed working with the girls in the office and have enjoyed the close relationships I have been able to create with everybody I have worked with or who has come through the doors needing assistance.”