William Comeaux: Nearly a Decade of Keeping Bolivar’s Roads, Parks, and Beaches Running

For nearly his entire life, William Comeaux has called the Bolivar Peninsula home. Now 46, he grew up on the peninsula, attended Ball High School, and—except for a year and a half at the Port Arthur Police Academy—has never lived anywhere else. His career path began in 1998 as a part-time court clerk with Galveston County while he was in college. Originally studying architecture, Comeaux realized that another path suited him better. A stint with the constable’s office led him to law enforcement, where he served two terms as constable before the county’s redistricting eliminated his precinct.

When Road Administrator Lee Crowder moved into a new role in 2016, county leaders turned to Comeaux for a position that would make use of his local knowledge and public service experience. He became Regional Operations Manager for Galveston County’s Road and Bridge and Parks Departments on the peninsula—a job he has now held for almost ten years.

Managing a Complex Network

Comeaux oversees everything on the peninsula that isn’t a state highway—Highway 87, Highway 124, and a few spur roads remain under state control. Under his leadership, the Road and Bridge Department includes 14 employees, three supervisors, a fleet of equipment operators, and two mechanics who also service sheriff and parks vehicles. He also supervises three Parks Department employees responsible for Fort Travis, Gregory Park, Noble Carl Park, two public boat ramps, and the small park in Bolivar. Even the Beach Parking Sticker Office falls under his watch.

The work is divided into three main crews. The beach crew, five employees strong, maintains the 27 miles of beaches on the peninsula. The drainage crew, four employees, tackles the peninsula’s ditches, culverts, and drainage—a challenge on such flat terrain. The maintenance crew handles mowing, pothole repairs, vegetation control, street and stop signs, and other right-of-way tasks.

Balancing Beach Maintenance and Regulation

Beach maintenance is among Comeaux’s most unique responsibilities. Unlike the beaches in Galveston or Jamaica Beach, which are managed by their respective cities, the Bolivar beaches are a county responsibility. Decades ago, county crews could rake and grade daily at will. Today, federal and state oversight by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) strictly limits what can be done.

For example, sargassum seaweed cannot be removed until it is at least eight feet wide and six inches deep between the shoreline and the dunes, and even then crews must leave swaths untouched and work under the watch of wildlife monitors. “There’s a balance,” Comeaux explained. “We’re a tourist town. Some want the beach pristine, others want it untouched. We have to figure out the middle ground within the permits we have.”

Safety, Preparation, and Community Service

Comeaux holds monthly department-wide safety meetings covering heat exposure, flagging, first aid, AEDs, and equipment safety. Crews wear reflective gear, and informal safety talks follow any unforeseen incident. “The guys look out for one another. It’s a see-something, say-something kind of job,” he said.

Hurricane preparedness is another key duty defined by strict protocol. Starting 96 hours before a potential landfall, Comeaux’s team fuels equipment, secures loose items, and, if needed, relocates vehicles to High Island or Fort Travis to protect them, and enable re-entry after the storm. Operators evacuate ahead of a major storm; Comeaux coordinates with emergency management and calls staff back when it’s safe.

Budgets and Partnerships

Budget requests originate with his crews, flow to him, and then to county leaders. While salaries are still catching up to neighboring counties, recent raises have helped. Beach parking sticker funds support equipment purchases and restroom trailer replacements. Cooperation with Texas DOT, the GLO, emergency management, and other county departments is constant, especially because of the peninsula’s relative isolation.

Words of Advice—and Service

If he could offer one piece of advice to a future successor, Comeaux said it would be to set limits and remain consistent. “It’s nice to help people, but you can’t put yourself in a bind. Be consistent with what you do for one person because the next person will want the same thing,” he explained.

Above all, Comeaux emphasized his team’s commitment to the community. “You pay our salary. We’re here to serve you. Come to us with your requests—if we can do it, we will. If we can’t, we’ll help you find another solution.”

Tom

Tom Osten is carrying on the legacy of CrystalBeach.com to promote this very special and unique community. He is living the dream in Crystal Beach with sweetheart Georgia and furry friend, Maezy.

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