The board of commissioners is the oldest form of county government in America and is still very common.
The county commissioner is responsible for roads and bridges within their precinct and makes policy-making budget decisions. Four commissioners, elected from a quarter of the county’s population, serve along with the county judge on the commissioner’s court.
A county commissioner in Texas has the following duties:
- As member of the commissioners court, exercises broad policy-making authority
- Represents one of four precincts within the county
- Typically responsible for building and maintaining county roads and bridges within the precinct.
Commissioners Court
The commissioners’ court conducts the general business of the county and consists of the county judge and four commissioners.
The court:
- Adopts the county’s budget and tax rate
- Approves all budgeted purchases of the county
- Fills vacancies in elective and appointive offices
- Sets all salaries and benefits
- Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts
- Provides and maintains all county buildings and facilities
Texas Association of Counties
Legal Source: Local Government Code Sec. 81.0025, Section (e).
