Commissioners Court

The Commissioners Court is the overall managing and governing body of Smith County. Made up of four Precinct Commissioners and a County Judge, the Commissioners Court conducts the general business of the county and oversees county financial matters like formulating the annual budget.

Among other responsibilities, the Commissioners Court:

• Sets the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and employment level for the county
• Sets commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries
• Calls, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections
• Sets employment and benefit policy
• Establishes long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs and plans
• Acquires property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public's best interest
• Provides rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection
• Oversees the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges
• Appoints non-elected department heads and standing committees
• Supervises and controls the county courthouse, county buildings, and facilities
• Adopts a county budget
• Determines county tax rates
• Fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions
• Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county