Our
Mission
The
job of the county commissioner calls for hands-on service delivery as
well as policy-making budget decisions.
Four
commissioners, each elected from a quarter of the county's population,
serve along with the county judge on the commissioners court. In addition
to assuring that county roads are maintained, commissioners vote with
the county judge to set the budget for all county departments and adopt
a tax rate.
Among
other responsibilities, the commissioners court:
*
Sets the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and employment
level for the county;
* Sets commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries;
* Calls, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections;
* Sets employment and benefit policy;
* Establishes long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial
and law enforcement/jail needs plans;
* Acquires property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be
in the public's best interest;
* Reviews and approve subdivision platting and wastewater treatment
for rural areas;
* Provides rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection;
* Oversees the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads
and bridges;
* Appoints non-elected department heads and standing committees;
* Supervises and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and
facilities;
* Adopts a county budget;
* Determines county tax rates;
* Fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions; and
* Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the
county.