Texas County Progress

The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas

Feature Story

Courthouse Trails – Fannin County Courthouse

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     Fannin County celebrated the reopening of its 1888 Historic Courthouse on March 10 after a four-year restoration project in Bonham, home of former Speaker of the U.S. House Sam Rayburn.       The $29 million endeavor was funded by the citizens of the Fannin County ($23 million) and the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program ($6 … [Read more...] about Courthouse Trails – Fannin County Courthouse

What You Wish Your Constituents Knew About County Government, the County Budget, and the Property Tax

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Per reader request, we update and publish this article several times a year. Our thanks to the Judges and Commissioners who continue to lend us their expertise. We welcome you to reprint and share this information to help educate the public you work so diligently to serve.

What is County Government?  In the State of Texas, county government is a unit of state government often referred to as “an arm of the state” or an administrative subdivision of the state. However, county government also acts as a unit of local government. Consequently, county governments in Texas perform two basic functions:  Carry out administrative and judicial … [Read more...] about What You Wish Your Constituents Knew About County Government, the County Budget, and the Property Tax

County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas – 100 Years of Excellence

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“May we all be remembered for serving this Association in these historical times. Going forward into the next 100 years will only be more exciting and challenging for future leaders. Let the legacy live on.” — CJCAT Association President Rick Bailey Johnson County Commissioner   Texas County Judges and Commissioners, known for their servant leadership, have … [Read more...] about County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas – 100 Years of Excellence

Back To School Basics – Discretionary Services Answers

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Answers from the "Discretionary Services" quiz in the October 2022 issue of County Progress.

Please note on Law Enforcement: “Shall” creates a mandatory duty, while “may” creates a discretionary duty. While Article 5, Section 23 of the Texas Constitution creates the office of sheriff, it provides that the duties “shall be prescribed by the Legislature.”  Although Chapter 85, Local Government Code authorizes the appointment of deputies by the sheriff, no statute … [Read more...] about Back To School Basics – Discretionary Services Answers