government of texas county

Texas has the most districts, with 204. They are an important extension of the state government, and they are tasked with performing special tasks that benefit the rural community. Administrative and fiscal functions are also important components of the basic services provided to residents. Human sources of livelihood are an essential factor that must be carefully managed to ensure fair distribution. Counties act as hubs for Texans to access social services while still being close to economic and political capital. Notably, the state legislation provides for specific structure and functions of the counties as its agents. The policy framework also provides for a conventional system of governance in all the divisions. The purpose of this write-up is to examine the importance, role, and structure of County Government in Texas.
The Structure of County Government in Texas
The county governments in Texas are structured by the state legislation. The commissioner's court which comprises of four commissioners and a judge is the governing body of the Texas counties. Texans participate in the partisan elections which are conducted after four years to fill the positions in the commissioner's court. There are several elective posts in Texas counties such as justice of the peace, District judge, County Clerks, Sheriff, Tax Assessors, and Constables among others. Each of these offices is charged with particular responsibilities as stipulated in the county constitution and the state laws. There are other appointments that the elected officers are allowed to make. For instance, the district judge has the power to appoint a county auditor to be in charge of the county finances. County public health officer, elections officials, as well as the agricultural agents, are part of the appointed positions. The administrative structure also comprises of several departments in which several Texans serve as clerks, administrative assistants, and surveyors among others.
The appointed positions are mainly based on the patronage civil service system with limited consideration to merit. It implies that employment in the government offices is given based on the loyalty to the elected persons in the office of minimal concern to the qualifications. Most of the employees in Texas counties are competent that is they meet the minimum standards of the requirement set by the county commissioners. The structure of county government differs significantly from the prevalent political culture. Some checks and balances regulate the powers of the county judges. For instance, commissioners serve staggered terms which allow for petition by the citizens on constitutionally accepted grounds. Moreover, the authority vested in the people through the periodic election of both judges and other positions in the county officers ensure that the necessary leadership changes are made to enhance service delivery. Notably, counties have a similar structure in Texas with the commissioner's court as the primary ruling body. However, there may be variances in policy regarding the functions of the counties as guided by the various constitutions of the specific jurisdictions.
The Role of County Government in Texas
Counties in Texas State act as policy delivery channels to the people. The county commissioners pass ordinances that regulate economic, social, and political activities within the state. For instance, they determine to a great extent the alcohol consumption and control policies. In some cases, plans allow for the sale of alcohol to persons after showing their ID while in others the laws it remains illegal and can only be purchased in restaurants or bars based on the set guidelines. The commissioners are charged with a more legislative mandate that the judicial functions. In accordance with the state legislation, they pass laws that rates of taxes on both consumable and capital goods. In this case, they can regulate the economic activities while generating funds that assist in running the state as a whole. The presence of county attorney who plays legal advisory role is an indication of policy delivery function of the counties in Texas.
Notably, counties undertake the judicial functions on behalf of the Texas State. The offices of constable and justice for peace are charged with the responsibility of enforcing county laws. They operate courts for the state that is a district, county as well as justice for peace courts. There are officers charged with the management of correctional facilities such as prisons and rehabilitation centers. Additionally, counties also enhance the infrastructural development process within a state. Collier contends that inaccessibility to the state administrative headquarters was facilitated by the inadequate road networks, especially in remote areas. It is the role of the county government to establish proper road networks, build bridges, and highways to ease connection to the state. In some cases, they also operate parks, hospitals, and airports on behalf of the state government. One of the primary responsibilities of commissioners is to maintain the roads and bridges within the county. It is their role to determine those who receive the contracts to pave roads or repair bridges.
Moreover, counties also perform significant economic roles to the state government. Lobao noted that the continued existence of poverty and other economic disparity within the states is an outcome of county policy framework and institutional capacity. As stated above, there are multiple employment opportunities in the various departments created under the commissioner's courts. It implies that they reduce the levels of unemployment in the states. Counties also devolve welfare, health, and housing services to the people who are the underlying determinants of economic growth. Lewis and Hamilton pointed out that county policies determine the resource distribution among the people. For instance, they cite sales and property taxes as relevant fiscal approaches to enhancing equitable resource distribution among the people. The county structure mandates the tax assessors to collect license plate fees, property taxes and also issue certificates among other roles. Based on the instituted policies, the county fiscal laws are sources of equitable resource distribution that can limit the wealth gap and reduce poverty in Texas. The financial returns from the counties are the primary source of income for the state government.
The county governments in Texas are of great importance to the state and the citizens. They have made most of the services available to the residents through the improved economic conditions. Texans benefit from security services due to the law enforcement agencies established through the county government. The poor inhabitants are also entitled to county support programs that ensure they have access to health services and educational services. Without these initiatives, most of the residents living far from the cities would not benefit from the improved road networks and other infrastructural developments. The county government contributes to the reduction in unemployment rates by providing job opportunities to the various departments to the residents as well as credit facility accessibility for business ventures. Moreover, the finances generated from the county government also aid the state administrative process in Texas State. The system has also provided an opportunity for the Texans to voice their concerns in the policy formulation process. As stated above, the counties have the legislative mandate as the critical role of the commissioners. The election process as well as the constitutional provisions that allow for petitions in the courts considerably empowers the citizens to determine the cause of their economic, political, and social lives.
Conclusion
Apparently, counties in Texas have a similar governance structure with the commissioner's court as the main governing body constituted through partisan election after every four years. Several county offices such as justice of the peace, constable, district judge, sheriff, and attorney among others are also elected to undertake constitutional duties in accordance with the law. Other positions are appointed by the leaders based on qualifications and political preferences in line with the set standards. Counties play both legislative and judicial roles in ensuring the welfare of citizens. Moreover, they perform other functions that improve the economic and social well-being of the people. An example is the maintenance of necessary infrastructures such as roads, highways, and bridges. As a result, the county government is essential to the state and the Texans due to the devolution of resources, leadership as well as job opportunities.










Bibliography
Collier, Kenneth E., Steven Galatas, and Julie Harrelson-Stephens. Lone Star Politics: Tradition and Transformation in Texas. 2014.
Lewis JH, Hamilton DK. Race and regionalism: The structure of local government and racial disparity. Urban Affairs Review. 47, no.3 (2011):349-84.
Lobao L, Jeanty PW, Partridge M, Kraybill D. Poverty and Place across the United States: Do County Governments Matter to the Distribution of Economic Disparities? International Regional Science Review. 35, no. 2 (2012):158-87.
TAC. 'Texas Association of Counties: County Government Structure." 2017. Texas Association of Counties. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 05, 2017. https://county.org/texas-county-government/county-govt-structure/Pages/default.aspx