A commissioners court is the general governing body of the county similar to how a city council governs a city.

The commissioners courts in Harris and Montgomery counties are made up of one county judge, who is elected countywide and presides over the court, and four commissioners, who each represent a precinct within the county and are elected by voters in their respective precincts. Commissioners serve four-year terms.

The court is responsible for conducting the general business of the county, including adopting the county’s budget and tax rate, setting salaries and benefits for county employees, filling elective and appointive vacancies, and authorizing county contracts and purchases.

Commissioners are also responsible for the building and maintaining of county roads and bridges within their respective precincts.

The Tomball community is primarily represented by Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, and the Magnolia community is represented by Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley.