Sunday, May 17, 2009

A Discussion With Collin County Commissioners' Court Judge, Keith Self

On Monday, May 18, from 6:45 to 9 P.M. the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) will host guest speaker Collin County Commissioners' Court Judge, Keith Self.

Judge Self will discuss the workings of the Collin County Commissioners' Court and answer questions from the audience.

The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of County Commissioners' Court Judge, who presides over a five-member Commissioner's Court. Four Commissioners, each elected to a commissioners precinct representing approximately a quarter of the county's population, serve with the Presiding County Judge on the Commissioners Court. Judge Keith Self is the Presiding Commissioners' Court Judge for Collin County.

The Commissioners' Court approves the annual budget and all county expenditures, sets the county property tax rates, approves the tax roll and determines public works policy such as building programs and conducting elections. The court appoints most non-elected department heads and standing committees and represents the county in state and regional matters. Members of the court also serve as Trustees of the Collin County Health Care Foundation, Collin County Housing Finance Corporation, and the Collin County Substance Abuse Foundation.

Advanced questions for Judge Self may be submitted by e-mail to TDWCC Programs Chairperson, Prissy Wisnewski at 'programs@tdwcc.org.' Questions will be compiled prior to the meeting so that Judge Self can cover as many topics and questions as possible.

All are welcome to attend on Monday, May 18, from from 6:45 to 9 P.M. at Collin College, 9700 Wade Blvd. Frisco, in the Founders Hall building, Rm F249 for an interesting evening of conversation with Judge Keith Self.

The four county commissioners vote with the presiding county judge to:
  • Set the yearly property tax rate;
  • Approve the budget and employment level for the county;
  • Set commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries;
  • Call, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections;
  • Set employment and benefit policy;
  • Establish long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs plans;
  • Acquire property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public's best interest;
  • Review and approve subdivision platting and waste water treatment for rural areas;
  • Provide rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection;
  • Oversee the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges;
  • Appoint non-elected department heads and standing committees;
  • Supervise and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and facilities;
  • Adopt a county budget;
  • Determine county tax rates;
  • Assure that county roads are maintained;
  • Fill vacancies in elective and appointive positions; and
  • Exorcise exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county.

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