Run for office in Austin, TX.

About these offices

(1) Appoint and remove the City Manager, all City Officers, and Department Heads; (2) Establish other administrative departments; (3) Establish the city's organizational chart and the number and position of employees; (4) Adopt the City budget; (5) Authorize the issuance of bonds by a bond ordinance; (6) Hear employee complaints of nonfeasance, malfeasance, and misfeasance, and inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the City and make investigations as to municipal affairs; (7) Appoint all commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and/or appointed groups to assist the City Council in the performance of its duties and responsibilities; (8) Set and fix the salaries and compensation for the non-elective City officers and employees; (9) Adopt and modify the zoning plan and the building code of the City; (10) Compromise and settle any and all claims and lawsuits of every kind and character in favor or against the City; (11) Adopt plats; (12) Adopt and amend the Comprehensive Plan; (13) Adopt Robert's Rules of Order governing City Council parliamentary procedures and amend such rules as necessary; and (14) Adopt and modify the official map of the City.

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the municipality. They often preside over council meetings and may have the power to hire and fire heads of municipal departments.

About these offices

Local school board members are responsible for overseeing school operations within the district, typically including employment decisions regarding a district superintendent.

The Local Higher Education Board or Community College Board is responsible for approving projects on new units of instruction and public service, determining new standards for curriculum and administration, and developing procedures for transfer.

The Municipal Services District Board is responsible for overseeing a variety of possible services to a special district, including power, gas, garbage collection, and emergency services.

The Soil and Water District Board, or Water Improvement District Board, is responsible for overseeing soil and watersheds within the district, and making plans and proposals to maintain and improve their quality.

The Public Utilities or Public Services District Board is responsible for overseeing public utility/public service operations within the district.

The Water District Board is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and operation of public water services.

About these offices

Hears traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. Hears civil cases with up to $10,000 in controversy. Hears landlord and tenant disputes. Hears truancy cases. Performs magistrate duties. Conducts inquests.

Receives and deposits all county revenues. Acts as chief liaison between the county and depository banks. Prepares the payroll. Disburses funds upon the order of the Commissioners Court. Records receipts and expenditures and reconciles bank statements. May be designated as the county's investment officer and required to submit regular reports on county finance to the members of the Commissioners Court. May also act as the county's human resources officer, employee benefits coordinator, risk manager and insurance coordinator. May have some audit responsibilities in counties with no Auditor.

Serves as clerk and custodian of records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court and Statutory County Courts. Acts as a recorder and custodian of important public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names and livestock brands, ensuring that records are maintained in a secure, archival manner. Issues marriage licenses. Serves as chief elections officer in most counties.

Serves as clerk and custodian of all records for the District Courts. Indexes and secures all court records, collects filing fees, and handles funds held in litigation and money awarded to minors. Coordinates the jury panel selection process. May process passport applications. Manages court registry funds.

The legal jurisdiction of the special county-level trial courts varies considerably and is established by the statute which creates the particular court. The jurisdiction of statutorily-created county courts at law may be concurrent with the jurisdiction of the county and district courts in the county. The civil jurisdiction of most county courts at law varies but is usually more than that of the justice of the peace courts and less than that of the district courts. County courts at law usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts.

The constitutional county courts have original jurisdiction over all criminal cases involving Class A and Class B misdemeanors, which are the more serious minor offenses. These courts usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts, except in counties where county courts at law have been established.

The County Party Officer is a position selected by political party. Each state party has a state committee, made up of elected committee members as well as ex officio committee members (usually elected officials and representatives of major constituencies), which in turn elects a chair. County, town, city and ward committees generally are composed of individuals elected at the local level, and they coordinate campaign activities within their jurisdiction, oversee local conventions and in some cases primaries or caucuses and may have a role in nominating candidates for elected office under state law.

County Court Judges are responsible for adjudicating cases in Civil and Criminal Courts at the trial-level in certain specific areas, such as small-claims court or drug court.

The County Legislature or Executive Board is the governing body of the county and exercises broad policy-making authority. The Board is charged with implementing policy and overseeing the county budget process and allocation.

The County Attorney is the chief legal prosecutor of the county.

The County Constable is the executive enforcement branch of the county justice courts. County Constables are peace officers responsible for law enforcement and also serve legal documents like restraining orders and warrants.

The County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement official of the county and is responsible for ensuring that all local, state, and federal laws are followed.

The County Tax Assessor and Collector is a joint position responsible for collecting, investing, and disbursing taxes. Additionally, they account for the tax money or taxable property and provide budget projection services for relevant agencies.