Serving the Taxpayer

The year 2007 means more than just a new year to elected officials. It is the beginning of what will hopefully become a rewarding relationship between county government and the citizens of Texas counties.
Elected officials work directly and indirectly with the general public, commonly referred to as “the taxpayer.” When people are elected to office, they are not elected to a job; they are elected to ensure the safety and well-being of the communities around them and to look out for the public’s best interests. This entails anything from budget expenditures to judiciary matters. As a political figurehead, elected officials should at all times maintain their sense of integrity and self-worth.
Whether you are a newly elected official or a re-elected official, you’ll find that there can be both rewarding experiences and hardships when working with the general public. Every elected official at some point in his or her career has felt or will feel the overwhelming sense of being alone in the decision-making process and not having anywhere to turn.
Fortunately, we learn that we are not alone and have agencies like the Texas Association of Counties and V.G. Young Institute of County Government, Texas Cooperative Extension, (just to name a couple) to come to our rescue and aid us when there is not a clear line between right and wrong. Many publications such as County Progress also offer helpful insight into the vast world of public service. In addition, many offices offer a list-serve sponsored by Texas Association of Counties where the officeholder can communicate with other officeholders throughout the state to get help and ideas about a vast array of subjects.
Beyond serving your county, there are also many opportunities to serve on different boards and regional associations. These boards and associations keep officials apprised of new laws and law changes, along with proposed bills in the Legislature and other matters that could potentially affect the different counties. All of this knowledge and experience returns with you to help at local levels and can be passed along to the taxpayer.
Functioning as an elected official requires hard work, but it can also be fun! On a day-to-day basis, officials enjoy the privilege of meeting with many different