Texas County Government
“The Republic shall be divided
into convenient counties,
but no new county shall be
established, unless it be done on the
petition of one hundred free male
inhabitants of the territory sought to
be laid off and established, and
unless the said territory shall
contain nine hundred square miles.”
Art. IV, Constitution of the Republic of Texas
Why Counties Were Created
Original Purpose: Law & Order
Fear of government power
resulted in today’s system
of checks and balances.
Structure of Texas Counties
 Counties are political subdivisions
of the state.
 Counties are extensions of state
government at the local level.
 Counties are “instrumentalities” of
the state” as opposed to municipalities.
HowCounties
CountiesFunction
Function
How
• Each office’s operations is governed by a
variety of laws.
• Each elected official has exclusive authority
over the offices operations and employees.
• Commissioners Court controls the budget.
• Commissioners Court may not use its
budgetary authority to prevent an officer
from performing his/her required duties.
The
Bottom
Line
The Bottom Line
While each county office functions
independently, county government
works best when all offices work
together.
County Services
County Services
County Services
County Services
County Services
Insert picture of citizens voting
County Services
County Services
County Services
County Government = Efficiency
Per Capita Tax Revenue Comparison
County
Combined
State
Combined sales, gasoline, severance and franchise taxes
$0
$500
$1,000
Based on 2011 revenue as reported by
the
$1,500
County Government = Efficiency
Per Capita Debt Comparison
County Debt
State Debt
Other Local
Debt
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
$6,000
As of August 31, 2012
Data Sources: Texas Bond Review Board & US Census Bureau
$7,000
$8,000
CommissionersCourt
Court
Commissioners
• Responsible for budget and tax rate.
• Approves all budgeted purchases.
• Sets all salaries and benefits.
• Exclusive authority to approve contracts.
• Provides & maintains all buildings.
• Fill vacancies in most other offices.
County Judge
Judge
County
• Presiding officer of Commissioners Court.
• Represents county in administrative
functions.
• Serves as budget officer in most counties.
• Head of emergency management.
• Broad judicial duties in criminal & civil cases.
County
Commissioner
County Commissioner
• Represents one of four precincts.
• Has broad policy-making authority as
member of Commissioners Court.
• Typically responsible for building and
maintaining roads and bridges and other
county facilities within precinct.
County
Tax
Assessor-Collector
County Tax Assessor-Collector
• Collects property taxes.
• May contract to collect for other local entities.
• Registers motor vehicles for the state.
• Collects various other fees for state and county.
• Voter registrar.
• Calculates effective tax rate.
County
CountyClerk
Clerk
• Clerk & custodian of records for
Commissioners Court & other county courts.
• Recorder and custodian of many important
records like deeds, bonds, birth & death
certificates, livestock brands, etc.
• Issues marriage licenses.
• Chief elections officer in most counties.
DistrictClerk
Clerk
District
• Clerk & custodian of records for district
courts.
• Coordinates jury panel selection process.
• Receives & disburses child support
payments.
• Manages court registry & trust funds.
• Processes passport applications.
County
County Treasurer
Treasurer
• Receives & deposits all county revenues.
• Chief liaison between county and bank.
• Disburses funds on order of Commissioners
Court.
• Prepares payroll.
• Often serves as HR coordinator.
County
Sheriff
County Sheriff
• Chief law enforcement officer.
• Manages & operates county jail.
• Provides security for the courts.
• Serves warrants and civil papers.
• Regulates bail bondsmen in many counties.
Justice of the Peace
• Hears Class C misdemeanor cases.
• Hears civil cases up to $10,000.
• Hears landlord-tenant disputes.
• Hears school truancy cases.
• Serves as magistrate.
• Conducts inquests.
County
Constable
County Constable
• Licensed peace officer - performs various
law enforcement functions.
• Serves warrants & civil papers such as
subpoenas and restraining orders.
• Bailiff for Justice of the Peace Court.
County
CountyAttorney
Attorney
• Represents state in prosecution of
misdemeanor cases.
• Investigates misdemeanor cases.
• Legal advisor to other county officials.
• Brings civil enforcement actions on behalf of
state or county.
District Attorney
Attorney
District
• Represents state in prosecution of felonies.
• Investigates felony cases.
• Presents cases to grand jury.
• Represents state in child welfare cases.
• Represents victims of violence.
CountyAuditor
Auditor
County
• Appointed by District Judge(s).
• Required if population is over 10,200.
• Serves as county’s chief accountant and
watchdog.
• Verifies validity and legality of all payments.
• Forecasts financial data for budget.
• Serves as budget officer in some counties.
[Add your county’s contact
information here.]