KEY QUESTION: Can Commissioners Courts prohibit or regulate the discharge of firearms? Reference Point: Local Government Code Section 235.022 Talking Points: To promote public safety, Commissioners Courts “by order may prohibit or otherwise regulate the discharge of firearms on lots that are 10 acres or smaller and are located in the unincorporated area of the county … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Regulation of Firearms
commissioners court
Key Concept: Commissioners Court Executive Session
KEY QUESTION: What are the general statutory requirements regulating Executive Sessions of Commissioners Court? REFERENCE POINT: Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Open Meetings TALKING POINTS: Sec. 551.002 of the Texas Government Code states, “Every regular, special, or called meeting of a governmental body shall be open to the public, except as provided by … [Read more...] about Key Concept: Commissioners Court Executive Session
New Officials: Highlights from LBJ School – Austin
Some 135 freshly sworn-in members of Commissioners Court convened in Austin Jan. 8-11 for the Seminar for Newly Elected County Judges & Commissioners, where they earned 20.5 hours of continuing education credit. The conference, sponsored by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Texas Association of Counties, took a two-pronged educational approach providing newly elected … [Read more...] about New Officials: Highlights from LBJ School – Austin
Open Meetings
KEY CONCEPT: Open Meetings KEY QUESTION: What are the general statutory regulations regarding Commissioners Court meetings? 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 … [Read more...] about Open Meetings
The Commissioners Court and the County Jail
The operation of the county jail is one of the most complex and expensive services provided by county government. Chapter 351 of the Local Government Code establishes the duty to provide local jails. In Section 351.041, the sheriff of each county is identified as the keeper of the county jail and charged with the duty to safely keep prisoners committed by proper authority. … [Read more...] about The Commissioners Court and the County Jail