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By Kris Smith
In the State of Texas, County Commissioners serve as the principal governing authority within their respective counties, undertaking a range of key responsibilities.
Each of the 254 Commissioners Courts throughout Texas consists of an elected County Judge and four County Commissioners, selected by precinct voters. The Commissioners Court was instituted by the Texas Constitution of 1876.
While not a judicial entity, the court is responsible for overseeing county government budgeting and policy decisions, in addition to managing the maintenance of county roads.
Article V, Section 18 of the Texas Constitution states,
Each county shall, in the manner provided for justice of the peace and constable precincts, be divided into four Commissioners precincts, in each of which there shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof one County Commissioner, who shall hold his office for four years until his successor shall be elected and qualified. The County Commissioners chosen, with the County Judge as presiding officer, shall compose the County Commissioners Court, which shall exercise such powers and jurisdiction over all county business, as is conferred by this Constitution and the laws of the State, or as may be hereafter prescribed.
Although county road maintenance represents a significant responsibility for the commissioners court, their role encompasses numerous additional duties. These include adopting the annual budget, authorizing ongoing county employment, and allocating the necessary funding for other county offices to fulfil their respective functions and obligations.
In addition to adopting the county budget, Commissioners Courts hold further fiscal responsibilities. The Court determines the county property tax rate, possesses the authority to grant tax abatements for economic development purposes, and authorize contracts on behalf of the county.
In addition, the County Commissioners Court is also responsible for:
- Overseeing management of the county courthouse, buildings, and facilities.
- Appointing individuals to fill vacant elected or appointed posts.
- Constructing and maintaining county roads and bridges.
- Reviewing and verifying election results.
- Managing libraries, hospitals, health care for people in need, as well as county parks and playgrounds, and making critical decisions for these services.
While the county’s Economic Development Coordinator provides presentations to the commissioners court on new business matters, the approval of new businesses does not fall under the commissioners’ responsibilities.
The commissioners court’s voting authority is limited to specific tax abatements, which are typically set at 50% not to exceed a period of ten years.
We will dig into tax abatements next week.
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