Frequently Asked Questions

​

 

What Does a County Judge Do in Texas?

• Presiding officer of the commissioner’s court

• Represents the county in many administrative functions

• Serves as budget officer in counties with fewer than 225,000 residents

• Most have broad judicial duties, such as presiding over misdemeanor criminal and small civil cases, probate matters and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court

• Serves as head of emergency management

 

What does a County Commissioner Do in Texas?

A county commissioner in Texas has the following duties:

• As member of the commissioner’s court, exercises broad policy-making authority

• Represents one of four precincts within the county

• Typically, responsible for building and maintaining county roads and bridges within the precinct

Commissioners Court

The commissioners court conducts the general business of the county and consists of the county judge and four commissioners.

The court:

• Adopts the county’s budget and tax rate

• Approves all budgeted purchases of the county

• Fills vacancies in elective and appointive offices

• Sets all salaries and benefits

• Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts

• Provides and maintains all county buildings and facilities