31.1 Local Government Allen Civic Plaza, Allen, Texas

County Governments Thousands of local governments throughout Texas provide police protection, roads, water and other services to Texans. The state has 254 counties, each with its own government. Counties are divided into 4 precincts. Collin County, Texas

Collin County Commissioners Court County Governments Voters in each precinct elect a county commissioner. Voters countywide elect a county judge. These elected officials serve four- year terms and make up the commissioner’s court that governs the county Collin County Commissioners Court: top left, Joe Jaynes, Precinct 3; center, Keith Self, county judge; top right, Matt Shaheen, Precinct 1, bottom right, Kathy Ward, Precint 4, and bottom right, Jerry Hoagland, Precinct 2 Collin County Commissioners Court

County Governments The judge directs the commissioner’s meetings, in which the prepare the county budget and address local issues. The commission also sets the county property tax rates – which are a major source of revenue for the county.

County Governments If the voters approve, the county can also raise money by issuing bonds for the construction of buildings, roads and other projects. (Bonds are certificates that represent money that the government has borrowed from citizens.) Despite the name, the commissioners court does not handle legal cases.

Collin County Sheriff, Terry G. Box County Governments Other officials serve on the county level. The sheriff provides police protection and runs the county jail. The county attorney advises officials and prosecutes misdemeanor criminal cases. Each county has a justice of the peace to hear minor criminal and civil cases. Collin County Sheriff, Terry G. Box

County Governments The county clerk keeps records of the commissioners court and keeps deed records of all land in the county. The receiving and paying out fo county funds is handled by the county treasurer. The county tax assessor-collector makes sure that taxes are collected and issues vehicle titles. Stacy Kemp, County Clerk Kenneth Maun, Tax Assessor-Collector

Municipal Governments and Special Districts More than 85% of Texans live in urban areas run by municipal governments. There are several kinds of municipal governments: Mayor-council government: voters elect a mayor and a city council to run the government. The mayor acts as the city’s chief executive officer and directs the council meetings. Stafford, Texas has a Mayor-Council government

Municipal Governments and Special Districts Peter Vargas, Allen City Manager Council – Manager government: this type of government is when the voters elect a mayor and city council. These elected officials decide the city’s policies. The council then chooses a city manager to carry out those policies and handle the city’s day to day business. With a council-manager government, the city’s administration lies in the hands of a hired professional. Steve Terrell, Mayor of Allen

Municipal Governments and Special Districts The Commission Plan: Also known as the Galveston Plan, was developed in 1901. Voters elect five to seven commissioners to serve as a city council. Each commissioner also supervises a city department. This plan of government worked for a time, but commissioners had difficulty working toward citywide goals. The Galveston Seawall was built under the commission plan of municipal government.

Municipal Governments and Special Districts There are two types of municipalities in Texas: Home-rule charters: for cities with 5,000 or more people can qualify. These charters allow citizens to choose among the three forms of municipal government. In order for a municipality to pass its own laws, it must qualify for a home-rule charter.

Municipal Governments and Special Districts General-Law Cities: Most small towns and villages operate under the general laws of the state. Some of these towns have a charter outlining the form of government they can use. * City governments raise revenue from bonds and from property and sales taxes. The government uses the money to provide services such as police and fire protection, utilities and garbage collection. Many cities have swimming pools, parks and sports teams for recreation. The city of Fulshear, Texas is a general-law city. Its population is 718.

Municipal Governments and Special Districts Special districts – particularly school districts – are the most numerous form of local government in the state. The districts are formed for a particular purpose, often handling services that other local governments do not provide.