According to CJCAT Senior General Counsel Jim Allison, AG Opinion JM-63 held that “the Commissioners Court controls the preparation of the agenda.” However, AG Opinion DM-473 affirmed that “each member of a County Commissioners Court may place items on the agenda...” Regarding deadlines for submitting agenda items for consideration, Allison offered the following: “Although … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Posting Commissioners Court Agenda Items
Feature Story
Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding
County governments provided approximately 73 percent of the total funding for juvenile probation departments in FY 2024, according to the 2025 Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Rider Report to the Governor and Legislative Budget Board. This percentage has historically been as high as 75 percent, confirmed Windy Johnson, program manager for the Conference of Urban … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding
Webb County Courthouse
Alfred Giles used a combination of Renaissance Revival and Romanesque styles to fashion the current Webb County Courthouse, completed in 1909. This National Register Property, initially valued at $60,000, was restored in the late 1990s for $3.275 million. Webb County, organized in 1848, was christened in honor of James Webb, leader of the Republic of Texas and secretary of … [Read more...] about Webb County Courthouse
Hardin County Hosts Seniors
Civic Duty Firsthand, One Office at a Time
Following a field trip to the Hardin County Courthouse last fall, social studies teacher Chasity Viator thanked officials and county staff for their assistance and described the day as “impactful for all involved.” As noted below, one of the seniors, Ben Kirkendall, is the son of Hardin County Commissioner Chris Kirkendall! Our thanks to Mrs. Viator for sharing the experience … [Read more...] about Hardin County Hosts Seniors
Key Concept: Setting County Salaries
Who sets the salaries of elected officials and county employees? REFERENCE POINTS: Local Government Code Chapter 152 Attorney General Opinion JM-947 Attorney General Opinion GA-638 Attorney General Opinion GA-639 TALKING POINTS: During the budget process, questions often arise concerning the salaries of county employees and elected officers. Under … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Setting County Salaries