The Texas Constitution specifies that a commissioners court—the governing body for a county—consists of a county judge who effectively serves as the CEO of the county and four commissioners who each serve a precinct. Sarah Eckhardt is judge for Travis County, and Dan Gattis is judge for Williamson County.

The court is responsible for county operations, roads and bridges, financial management, the county justice system, public health and infrastructure. Financial responsibility for the county includes setting the tax rate, authorizing expenditures and issuing bonds.

Commissioners also call for bond elections needed in the county, such as in 2015 when voters defeated a Travis County bond for a new civil and family courts complex. Construction and maintenance of roads and bridges that are not part of the state highway system are a focus for the court. A commissioners court works with the county’s cities as well as regional and state transportation organizations on major projects.