FAQ’s:
1.What does the Kendall County Court do?
2. How do I contact my County Commissioner?
3. When/where are Kendall County Court Meetings?
4. How can I review the Court Agenda before the meeting?
5. How do I get to speak at the meeting?
6. What precinct do I live in?
7. How does voting work?
8. Read Pct 2 Commissioner, Gene Miertschin's Summary and Quarterly Newsletter for more info.
According to the estimated 2006 census report, Kendall County's population could reach 30,213 (http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-48.xls). The Kendall County Commissioners Court foremost responsibility is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all county residents.
EVERY COUNTY IN TEXAS IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR COMMISSIONERS PRECINCTS (Precinct Map) to see what precint you are in. For other contact information for Kendall County.
These precincts are determined by the county judge. (See below for County Judge responsibilities). The precincts must be roughly equal in population. A county commissioner is elected from each separate commissioners precinct. County commissioners, beside their role on the Commissioners Court, have individual responsibilities to their constituents. Rural citizens believe their needs are better met by their county commissioner, because of his or her dependence on a citizen’s vote.
The qualifications for a County Commissioner are:
To be a U.S. citizen.
To be a Texas resident for 12 months prior to nomination.
To live in the precinct for 6 months prior to nomination.
To be 18 years of age.
HOW DO I CONTACT MY COMMISSIONER? return to top
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY JUDGE
The county judge, presides over a four-member commissioners court. The County Judge is an elected official with a four year term.
The county judge handles such widely varying matters as hearings on admittance to state hospitals for the mentally ill and mentally retarded, juvenile work permits and temporary guardianships for special purposes. The judge is also responsible for calling elections, posting election notices and for receiving and canvassing the election returns. The county judge may perform marriages.
The county judge is also head of civil defense and disaster relief, county welfare and in counties under 225,000 population, the judge prepares the county budget along with the county auditor or county clerk.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE COUNTY JUDGE?
County Judge Gaylan Schroeder can be reached at the Kendall County Courthouse at (830) 249-9343, located at 201 East San Antonio Street, Boerne, Texas or e-mail kcjudge@co.kendall.tx.us.
WHEN DOES COMMISSIONERS COURT MEET
AND
HOW DO I ACCESS THE AGENDA BEFORE A MEETING?
Kendall County Commissioners Court meets every second and fourth Monday of each month. Occasionally, when an important issue requires another meeting, the Court can call a Special Called Meeting. more
The Court's Agenda is posted on the Courthouse door and on the Kendall County website (www.co.kendall.tx.us) by Thursday evening prior to the meeting.
The Court is informal relative to City Council Meetings, but you should sign up to speak at the sign in sheet as you enter the door. There is a discrete item for 'Citizen's Comments' in the agenda as well. Usually, the Judge will allow brief comments if you raise your hand.
return to top
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMISSIONERS COURT:
1. Develop and approve the county budget.
2. Set county tax rate, within state guidelines.
3. Build and maintain county roads and bridges.
4. Work with state and city departments to improve county
transportation.
5. Operate a county courthouse.
6. Administer elections.
7. Let contracts, set fees and service charges.
8. Provide for the operation of a jail.
9. Work with all law enforcement agencies within the county to combat crime.
10. Administer state and federal mandated health and welfare programs, including indigent health care.
11. Draw boundaries for justice of peace and constable precincts.
12. Oversee all county administrative functions.
13. Develop county environmental programs.
14. Ensure that unincorporated areas receive fire and police
protection, ambulance service, animal control services and that these areas meet health standards.
return to top
WHAT IS COMMISSIONERS COURT AUTHORITY?
It should be said from the outset the Texas counties have no official policy-making power; most of the policy-making at the county level is comprised of allocating funds to various departments, determining salaries, and how to administer state programs. Therefore, although they do not have formal power with relation to other county offices, the Commissioners Court has the informal power of the purse, and this is their greatest strength. The Commissioners Court decides how much money the county will spend and which departments get priority. But once the money is allocated, the commission has little or no authority to determine how it is spent.
With guidelines determined by the state, the commission has the discretionary authority to set tax levels as well as fees for services. The court also has the authority to award contracts for equipment and services. The court may hear disputes, issue subpoenas, assess fines, and put folks in jail for up to 24 hours
