1. Local Government in Texas
The County System

2. Texas as Unitary Republic
As with other states in the US, sovereignty rests with citizens
Citizens elect central government
Government administers policy to citizens either
Directly
through administrative districts called counties
Texas generally administers state policy through the county system
Many County officers are also elected
Counties appear to be local structures, but are in fact state structures
County lines may be redrawn by the State Legislature
Central Government
County A
County B
County C
Citizens
Citizens
Citizens

3. Texas Counties at a glance
Number of counties in TX:
in 1876:122
In 2007: 254
Largest Counties:
By area: Brewster
By population: Harris
Smallest Counties:
By area: Rockwall
By population: Loving

4. The Structure of County Government
All counties in Texas have the same structure
Effectively a plural executive arm of state government
1 County Judge
May preside over the Constitutional County Court (CCC)
Not required to be a licensed attorney
Coordinates County Court Docket with CCL Judges (also elected)
Chairman of the Commissioners Court
4-member Commissioners Court
Counties divided into precincts
Exercises limited legislative powers
Several elected county offices
Some elected on the county level
Others elected on the precinct level
District offices shared with other counties
Elected district offices, e.g. District Judge, elected on the county or district level

5. The Structure of County Government
County Departments
At-large
Elected Offices
District Judge
District Clerk
County Attorney
County Clerk
County Sheriff
County Treasurer
County Tax Assessor
Minor elected offices:
Surveyor
HDA
Elected Offices
By Precinct:
Justice of the Peace
Constables
Road
Crew
Road
Crew
Road
Crew
Road
Crew
Commissioners Court
County
Judge
Comm 1
Comm 2
Comm 3
Comm 4
Precinct 1
Precinct 2
Precinct 3
Precinct 4
County Voters

6. At-Large County Offices
Sheriff
Principal County Peace Officer
Exercises executive jurisdiction over general law areas of the County
Appoints deputy sheriffs
Maintains County Jail
Attorney
Principal legal counsel for state in county-level legal issues
Exercises misdemeanor prosecution power
Shares prosecution power with District Attorneys (DAs have felony prosecution power)

7. At-Large County Offices
Clerk
Maintains state records at the CCC/CCL
Issues state licenses and other records
Schedules court cases
Conducts elections
Tax Assessor
Collects revenue for the State
Registers voters
Treasurer
Receives, maintains, disburses county funds
Minor elected offices
Surveyor
Inspector of Hides and Wools (obsolete as of 2007)
Home Demonstration Agent

8. Precinct Elected Offices
County Commissioners
Members of the Commissioners Court
Establish and maintain contracts for county services within the precinct
Road crews
Public works (if applicable)
Justice of the Peace (JP)
The lowest level civil court
Need not be a licensed attorney to serve
Constables
Generally assists JPs and CCLs
Serves subpoenas and summons
Enforces Peace Bonds
May exercise some police powers

9. Political Features of County Government
Absence of centralized authority
Elected officials often act independently of each other
The Three “P’s” of County Politics
Precincts
Parties
Patronage
Urban v. Rural Counties
County Governments have less autonomy than Municipal Governments
Counties unable to provide urban-style services
County Government less prominent in urban counties
Often defers to city government
May also yield to special regulatory districts