Administrative divisions of Texas

They can only pass ordinances (local laws with penalties for violations) in cases where the Texas statutes have given them express permission to.

However, counties can collect a small portion of property tax and spend it to provide residents with needed services or to employ the power of eminent domain.

Counties do not have "home rule" authority; whatever powers they enjoy are specifically granted by the State.Unlike other states, Texas does not allow for consolidated city-county governments.

Certain officials, such as the sheriff and tax collector, are elected separately by the voters, but the commissioners court determines their office budgets, and sets overall county policy.

All county elections are partisan, and commissioner precincts are redistricted after each ten year Census both to equalize the voting power in each and in consideration of the political party preferences of the voters in each.

[3] Second, most counties have not centralized purchasing into a single procurement department which would be able to seek quantity discounts and carefully scrutinize bids and contract awards for unusual patterns.

General law cities cannot annex adjacent unincorporated areas without the property owners' consent; home rule cities may annex without consent but must provide essential services within a specified period of time (generally within three years) or the property owner may file suit to be disannexed and reimbursed.

It has also led to conflicts between city and county officials over the provision of services to these areas not included in the agreements.

The purpose of limited annexation is to allow the city to control development in an area that it eventually will fully annex; it is meant to do so within three years (though it can arrange "non-annexation agreements" with local property owners), and those agreements with municipal utility districts also cloud the picture.