Week 5 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN TEXAS Flashcards
What are the three major forms of local government in Texas?
County, municipal (city), special purpose districts.
What are the functions of county government?
Law enforcement, road maintenance, record-keeping, public health and safety, administering justice.
What are the main offices of county government? State the specific responsibility of each office.
County Judge: Presides over the Commissioners Court, oversees county administration, and handles some judicial functions.
County Commissioners: Serve on the Commissioners Court, responsible for road and bridge maintenance, and budget decisions.
Sheriff: Law enforcement, county jail management.
County Clerk: Keeps official records, handles marriage licenses, and public records.
Tax Assessor-Collector: Collects property taxes, vehicle registration.
District Attorney: Prosecutes criminal cases.
How are the officials that hold these offices selected?
County officials are elected by voters within the county.
Is the Commissioner’s Court a judicial court? What is its structure?
Not a judicial court. It is the main governing body of the county, consisting of the County Judge and four County Commissioners.
What is the role of county government in a state emergency such as a weather disaster or a global pandemic such as COVID-19?
Coordinate emergency response, manage resources, communicate with state and federal agencies, and support local first responders.
What was the relationship between state and county government during the coronavirus pandemic?
Counties followed state guidelines but also implemented their own measures to manage the crisis, sometimes leading to conflicts over authority and resources.
