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County
Commissioner
by
Monty Rainey, Junto Society
Boards
of County Commissioners serve as both administrative and
policy-making bodies for their counties. While, generally, boards
have only those powers specifically conferred by the state
General Assembly, courts have held that they have such implied
powers as may be necessary to carry out their specified powers.
Constitutionally, the board also sits as the county board of
equalization. The board also fills all vacancies in county
offices other than those for county commissioner and for public
trustee. All powers of the county, as a legal entity, are
exercised by the board of county commissioners and not by its
individual members.
The
job of the County Commissioner calls for hands-on service
delivery as well as policy-making budget decisions.
The
number of commissioners may vary, but each is elected from a
percentage of the county's population. They serve along with the
County Executive on the Commissioner’s Court. In addition to
assuring that county roads are maintained, Commissioners vote
with the CEO to set the budget for all county departments and
adopt a tax rate.
Among
other responsibilities, the Commissioners Court:
- Sets
the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and
employment level for the county;
- Sets
commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries;
- Calls,
conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections;
- Sets
employment and benefit policy;
- Establishes
long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and
law enforcement/jail needs plans;
- Acquires
property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in
the public's best interest;
- Reviews
and approve subdivision platting and wastewater treatment for
rural areas;
- Provides
rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection;
- Oversees
the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads
and bridges;
- Appoints
non-elected department heads and standing committees;
- Supervises
and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and
facilities;
- Adopts
a county budget;
- Determines
county tax rates;
- Fills
vacancies in elective and appointive positions; and
- Has
exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the
county.
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