The county commissioner races for Precinct 3 in Harris County and Precinct 1 in Fort Bend County are contested this election season. Here is your guide to understanding commissioners' roles in Texas.
What does a county commissioner do?
According to the V. G. Young Institute of County Government at Texas A&M University, a commissioner governs one precinct within each county. Collectively, the commissioners and county judge form a commissioners court—similar to a city council on the county level.
In rural areas, a commissioner may be responsible for approving subdivision platting and wastewater treatment, providing ambulance services and subsidizing fire protection. Within their respective precinct, commissioners are also responsible for constructing and maintaining county roads and bridges.
What does a commissioners court do?
According to the Texas Association of Counties and the V.G. Young Institute, duties of a commissioners court include:
- adopting the county's budget and property tax rate
- approving all county expenditures
- filling elected and appointed vacancies
- setting employment and benefit policies for the county
- authorizing contracts on the county's behalf
- overseeing all county buildings and facilities
- setting precinct boundaries for commissioners and justices of the peace
- conducting bond elections
How often are county commissioners elected?
Commissioners are elected to serve four year terms. Commissioner elections are staggered, meaning that precincts 1 and 3 are on the ballot in presidential election years and precincts 2 and 4 are elected at the same time of the Texas governor.
Who will be on the ballot?
Steve Radack, R*
Jenifer Rene Pool, D
Vincent Morales, R
Richard Morrison, D*
*incumbent
