Johnson County officials gathered for a public swearing-in ceremony where multiple elected officers took the oath of office and brief remarks emphasized public service and accountability.

The ceremony, hosted at the Johnson County courthouse, included oaths for judges, the sheriff, the county attorney, the tax assessor-collector and several constables. Judge William Bosworth, of the 413th District Court, told the assembled officials that an oath is a pledge to the constitution and laws rather than to particular policies or positions. “An oath of office is a reminder … that those that take the oath are swearing allegiance to the constitution and laws of the state and of our United States government, not an oath to a policy or position,” Bosworth said.

The most newsworthy actions were the formal oaths administered to the following officials: Judge Sydney Hewlett (18th Judicial District, serving Johnson and Somervell County), Judge William Bosworth (413th District Court, Johnson County), Bill Moore (county attorney), Adam King (sheriff), Jeffrey Scott Porter (tax assessor-collector), Rick Bailey (elected official; office not specified on the record), Commissioner Mike White (Commissioner, Precinct 3), Constable Matt Wiley (Precinct 1), Constable Steve Williams (Precinct 3) and Constable Troy Fuller (Precinct 4). Organizers noted that Constable Adam Crawford was sworn separately and that District Attorney Tim Good is scheduled to be sworn the following day in another courtroom.

Tax assessor-collector Jeffrey Scott Porter completed both the state oath and a separate county oath and bond during the ceremony. Event organizers also offered updated official photographs for newly sworn officials after the event.

The ceremony mixed brief personal remarks with calls for public accountability. Bosworth praised the county’s finances and leadership, saying he believed “Johnson County is working well and that it is proceeding as it should, and it's in great financial shape thanks to our commissioners and our county judge and our taxpayers.” The program closed with a benediction by Judge John Neal, who urged officials to act with humility and public-mindedness: “We make decisions in our job, and if we do that … everything will fall into line,” Neal said.

No legislative actions, motions or votes were taken at the ceremony; the event consisted of administered oaths, brief remarks, and logistical announcements about headshots and separate swearing-in appointments.

Organizers and officials asked that names, titles and roles recorded at the event be used for official county records and websites; some parts of the verbal record contained transcription inconsistencies that organizers said they would reconcile in the official minutes.

Adjournment came after the closing remarks and photo opportunities.