Commissioners' court

Although referred to as courts, they generally exercise only limited judicial powers in Texas and Missouri and none in Arkansas.

[2] Each quorum court is elected from single-member districts, with the number of commissioners (called justices of the peace[1]) depending on the population of the county.

In most instances, a simple majority of court members is sufficient to take action.

As a principal institution of county government, the court's role combines elements of judicial, legislative, and executive functions.

[4] In Texas, the relationship between institutions of county government is designed to be independent and adversarial.

Each year, the court adopts the county tax rate and the county budget, setting the salary and budget for independent elected officials, as well as outlining expenditures for departments under the direct control of the court.

State law requires, except in cases of emergency, that an agenda of the items to be considered by the court be posted at least 72 hours prior to its meeting.

Additionally, state law provides that the court must designate its term, or the time, place, and interval at which it will sit, at the beginning of each fiscal year.

In addition to serving as voting members of the court, county commissioners are often charged with overseeing county roads and bridges within their precinct, and are sometimes also responsible for solid waste collection, parks and other services within the precinct.