2016 is a significant election year with primary elections in March, local elections in May and the general election in November. When it comes to deciding who to vote for in local county and city elections, not every voter is familiar with the responsibilities of elected officials. The following is a guide to local elected officials in county government, city government, Frisco ISD and Collin College.
County Judge
The county judge presides over the Commissioners Court, represents the county in many administrative functions, serves as a budget officer, has broad judicial duties and serves as head of emergency management.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Keith Self Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $141,492.34
Denton County
Current officeholder: Mary Horn Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $124,376
Collin County Commissioners Court members are, from left: Duncan Webb, Chris Hill, Judge Keith Self, Cheryl Williams and Susan Fletcher.[/caption]
County Commissioner
The Commissioners Court exercises a broad policy-making authority within the county and is typically responsible for building and maintaining county roads and bridges within the precincts.
Collin County*
Current officeholder: Susan Fletcher (Precinct 1) Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $115,521.11
Denton County Commissioners Court members are, from left: Hugh Coleman, Ron Marchant, Judge Mary Horn, Bobbie Mitchell and Andy Eads.[/caption]
Denton County*
Current officeholder: Hugh Coleman (Precinct 1) Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $102,554
County Clerk
The county clerk serves as clerk and custodian of records for the Commissioners Court, constitutional county court and statutory county courts. The clerk also acts as a recorder and custodian of important public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names and livestock brands, ensuring that records are maintained in a secure, archival manner. The clerk serves also as the chief elections officer.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Stacey Kemp Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $118,924.64
Denton County
Current officeholder: Juli Luke Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $101,292
Tax Assessor and Collector
The tax assessor and collector calculates and collects property tax for the county. They may also collect taxes for cities, schools and other local taxing entities.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Kenneth Maun Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $117,592.75
Denton County
Current officeholder: Michelle French Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $102,554
County Sheriff
The county sheriff serves as a licensed peace officer and is responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of the state. The sheriff also manages and operates the county jail.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Terry Box Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $158,183.60
Denton County
Current officeholder: William B. Travis Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $127,562
Constable
The constable serves as a licensed peace officer and performs various law-enforcement functions, including issuing traffic citations. The constable issues warrants and civil papers, such as subpoenas and temporary restraining orders, and serves as bailiff for the Justice of the Peace Court.
Collin County*
Current officeholder: Joe Wright (Precinct 4) Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $96,180.80
Denton County*
Current officeholder: Michael A. Truitt (Precinct 2) Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $85,153
District Attorney
The district attorney represents the state in prosecuting felony criminal cases, works with law-enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases, presents cases to the grand jury, represents victims of violence in protective orders and represents the state in removing children from abusive households.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Greg Willis Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $187,684.12
Denton County
Current officeholder: Paul Johnson Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $199,018
District Clerk
The district clerk serves as clerk and custodian of all records for the district courts.
Collin County
Current officeholder: Yoon Kim Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 Salary: $118,924.64
Denton County
Current officeholder: Sherri Adelstein Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $101,292
District Court Judge
District court judges hear cases relating to civil actions more than $200, divorce, contested elections, felony criminal cases and juvenile matters. Judges serve at large.
Collin County
Current officeholder: 199th District Court, Angela Tucker; 219th District Court, Scott Becker; 296th District Court, John Roach; 366th District Court, Ray Wheless; 380th District Court, Benjamin Smith; 401st District Court, Mark Rusch; 416th District Court, Chris Oldner; 417th District Court, Cynthia Wheless; 429th District Court, Jill Willis; 469th District Court, Piper McCraw; 470th District Court, Emily Miskel Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 (199th, 380th, 401st, 416th, 469th and 470th district court) Salary: $158,000
Denton County
Current officeholder: 16th District Court, Sherry Shipman; 158th District Court, Steve Burgess; 211th District Court, Brody Shanklin; 362nd District Court, Bruce McFarling; 367th District Court, Margaret Barnes; 393rd District Court, Doug Robison; 431st District Court, Jonathan Bailey; 442nd District Court, Tiffany Haertling Term: four-year term Next election: 2016 (16th, 362nd, 393rd, 431st and 442nd district court) Salary: $155,627
County Court at Law Judge
County Court at Law judges hear cases relating to civil matters up to $200,000, misdemeanors with fines more than $500 or with jail sentences, and juvenile matters. Judges serve at large.
Collin County
Current officeholder: County Court at Law 1, Corinne Mason; County Court at Law 2, Barnett Walker; County Court at Law 3, Lance Baxter; County Court at Law 4, David Rippel; County Court at Law 5, Dan Wilson; County Court at Law 6, Jay Bender Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 (county court at law 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) Salary: $159,886.83
Denton County
Current officeholder: County Court at Law 1, Kimberly McCary; County Court at Law 2, Robert Ramirez Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 (county court at law 1 and 2) Salary: $155,627
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace hears traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, hears civil cases with up to $10,000 in controversy, hears landlord and tenant disputes, hears truancy cases and performs magistrate duties.
Collin County*
Current officeholder: Mike Yarbrough (Precinct 4) Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $104,263.60
Denton County*
Current office holder: James DePiazza (Precinct 2) Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 Salary: $85,014
County Criminal Court Judge
Judges hear criminal cases and appeals from municipal courts. Judges serve at large.
Denton County
Current office holder: County Criminal Court 1, Jim Crouch; County Criminal Court 2, Virgil Vahlenkamp; County Criminal Court 3, David Garcia; County Criminal Court 4, Joe Bridges; County Criminal Court 5, Coby Waddill Term: four-year term Next election: 2018 (County Criminal Court 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) Salary: $154,127
Probate Court Judge
The judge of this court hears cases related to probate issues.
Collin County
Current office holder: Weldon Copeland
Term: four-year term
Next election: 2018
Salary: $160,927.13
2016 is a significant election year with local elections in May. The following is a guide to local elected officials in city government, Frisco ISD and Collin College.
Maher Maso[/caption]
Mayor
The mayor presides over City Council meetings and is recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes. The mayor is also recognized as the governor for purposes of military law, but has no regular administrative duties. The mayor may also participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the City Council. The mayor is not entitled to vote as a member of council except in case of a tie, when the mayor casts the deciding vote, but has no power to veto.
Current officeholder: Maher Maso Term: three-year term Next election: 2017 Stipend: $450 per month
Frisco City Council members are from left: Tim Nelson, Scott Johnson, Jeff Cheney, Mayor Maher Maso, Bob Allen, John Keating and Will Sowell.[/caption]
Frisco City Council Member
City Council determines the powers and policies of the city. Some common duties of City Council include approving the city’s budget, approving the sale of bonds, considering rezoning cases and setting the priorities for the city. Council members serve at large.
Current officeholder: Place 1, Bob Allen; Place 2, Jeff Cheney; Place 3, Will Sowell; Place 4, John Keating; Place 5, Tim Nelson; Place 6, Scott Johnson Term: three-year terms Next election: 2016 (Place 2, Place 4) Stipend: $300 per month
Frisco ISD board of trustees members are from left: Bryan Dodson, Renée Ehmke, John Hoxie, President Anne McCausland, John Classe, Debbie Gillespie and Chad Rudy.[/caption]
Frisco ISD Trustee
The board of trustees is the district’s policy-making body. Its main responsibilities include but are not limited to: hiring and evaluating the superintendent, approving the district’s budget, establishing goals and evaluating results, levying taxes and issuing bonds, ordering elections, and communicating with the community. Trustees serve at large.
Current officeholder: Place 1, Bryan Dodson; Place 2, Renée Ehmke; Place 3, Chad Rudy; Place 4, Anne McCausland; Place 5, Debbie Gillespie; Place 6, John Classe; Place 7, John Hoxie. Term: three-year terms Next election: 2016 (Place 1, Place 2, Place 3) Salary: volunteer
Collin College board of trustees members are from left: Jim Orr, Andrew Ardin, Bob Collins, Adrian Rodriguez, Nancy Wurzman, Larry Wainwright, Jenny McCall and Mac Hendricks. (Not pictured: Stacy Anne Arias)[/caption]
Collin College Trustee
The board has final authority to determine and interpret the policies that govern the college district and, within the limits imposed by other legal authorities, has complete and full control of the college district. Trustees serve at large.
Current officeholder: Place 1, Nancy Wurzman; Place 2, Jenny McCall; Place 3, Larry Wainwright; Place 4, Adrian Rodriguez; Place 5, Stacy Anne Arias; Place 6, Mac Hendricks; Place 7, Jim Orr; Place 8, Bob Collins; Place 9, Andrew Hardin Term: seven-year term Next election: 2017 (Place 1, Place 2, Place 3) Salary: volunteer
Sources: www.collincountytx.gov, www.dentoncounty.com, Texas Association of Counties, city of Frisco, Collin College, Frisco ISD, Texas Judiciary Online/Community Impact Newspaper
