There are 254 counties in Texas, and they all have essentially the same jobs to accomplish; however, there may be 254 different ways of getting the job done. There are several departmental officers that make up a county’s government structure. They provide a wide variety of services to the county residents. I will try to give you a general overview of some of the departments/offices that make up most Texas counties.
The county clerks and district clerks maintain and manage records. The county clerk takes care of public records such as land deeds, maps, some criminal and civil case information, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and other important documents. The county clerk takes minutes for all Commissioners Court proceedings and manages the meeting records. The district clerk maintains the judicial records for the district courts including civil, criminal, and family cases. Both the county clerk and the district clerk collect fees, fines, and court costs. Both keep the court system running as smoothly as possible. The September issue of County Progress includes a special spotlight on the offices of the county and district clerks.
The county treasurer and the auditor are involved in the financial aspect of the county. The treasurer manages the funds, keeps accurate financial information, pays bills, and processes payroll. The auditor makes sure that the county finances are in compliance with laws, audits county departments, makes sure all departments comply with the financial policies of the county, and is a check for the Commissioners Court’s financial decisions. Both the county treasurer and auditor ensure that there is transparency and that the taxpayers’ money is properly used.
The county departments need legal guidance on a variety of issues, and the county has two offices that achieve that goal by providing legal advice to all officials. The two offices are the county attorney’s office and the district attorney’s office. These two offices prosecute criminal cases and represent the county in civil proceedings. They work very closely with law enforcement to achieve justice in the county.
Justice of the Peace (JP) courts handle minor legal matters such as traffic tickets and class C misdemeanors. JPs may conduct marriage ceremonies and inquests for unexplained deaths.
The constable is the law enforcement arm of the justice of the peace. Constables serve legal documents, enforce court orders, and provide security for JP court proceedings.
All counties have an emergency operations office with an emergency management coordinator who prepares and responds to disasters and emergencies. This person works with local, state, and federal agencies in developing an emergency preparedness disaster plan for the county. This office also provides resources and communicates with residents in crisis.
The sheriff’s office is a very important part of the county and provides law enforcement protection for the residents by patrolling and by investigating crimes. The office oversees the management of the county jail to ensure proper detention and care of inmates. The county courts and public officials are provided with security by this office.
The Commissioners Court is the governing body of Texas counties. The Court is made up of a County Judge and four Commissioners who prepare and manage the county budget, set tax rates, and oversee expenditures. This Court acts as the executive and legislative body for the county by approving the business operations of the county.
Every department and office serves a crucial function in a county. From policymaking and law enforcement to court cases and public infrastructure, these departments all work together to achieve and maintain a high quality of life for county residents.
The position of County Judge is very unique in government because the County Judge may represent all three branches of government. The Judge is the executive of the county as the Judge presides over the Commissioners Court and makes day-to-day decisions when possible. The Judge is the legislative branch and is constantly working with policymakers from the state and federal governments to make sure that the county is well taken care of. The Commissioners Court’s decisions are what legislate the operations of the county. This position is also judicial in that it presides over class A and B misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and civil cases. On a related note, not every County Judges presides over judicial matters, as some counties use county courts at law or specialized probate courts for those matters.
As you can see, it takes many offices for county government to work properly and efficiently.