Texas County Progress
The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
MAIN REFERENCE POINT: Texas Government Code Chapter 551, The Open Meetings Act TALKING POINTS: The Open Meetings Act provides public access to meetings of governmental bodies – such as the Commissioners Court – except for those meetings expressly authorized as executive sessions. A meeting takes place when a quorum of the Commissioners Court joins … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Open Meetings
With the next legislative session only a few months away, we can expect to see further changes in laws impacting procurement which will require careful attention to detail. During the 85th Legislative Session in 2017, several laws passed that require special wording be included in specifications to keep the county in compliance with purchasing statutes. B. 9 – established … [Read more...] about Purchasing Statutes of Special Interest to Counties
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension District Training Conferences One-Day Sessions Provide Commissioners Continuing Education Ten Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts will offer in-service training for members of Commissioners Court during the months of October-December. The District sessions provide varying amounts of continuing education credits for County … [Read more...] about District Conferences
Each year as counties prepare their budgets, along with the routine maintenance and operational costs, counties inevitably face the need to budget for some routine capital items. Law enforcement vehicles or road grading equipment may need replacement; radios, computers or office equipment may have worn out; gravel and road base material may be needed to repair county roads; or … [Read more...] about Financing Routine Capital Expenditures
Key Question: Can Commissioners Courts regulate the use of fireworks? Reference Points: Local Government Code Section 352.051 Texas Government Code Chapter 418 Talking Points: Local Government Code Section 352.051 authorizes the Commissioners Court to adopt an order to regulate “restricted” fireworks in a county’s unincorporated areas during drought … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Fireworks
