Civics 101
The 5 people who control flood protection, public health, roads, and the jail
10 min read | Sources: harriscountytx.gov, Harris County Budget Office
Here is the simplest way to think about it.
The City of Houston handles what happens inside city limits. Police, fire, water, trash, 311.
Harris County handles everything else. And some things inside city limits too.
Harris County covers 1,777 square miles. The City of Houston covers about 671. That means over 2 million people live in Harris County but outside Houston city limits. They have no mayor. No city council. County government is their local government.
Even if you live inside Houston, the county still runs your flood control, your courts, your county jail, your property tax appraisal, and your elections.
Source: harriscountytx.gov, U.S. Census Bureau 2020
Harris County by the Numbers
Commissioners Court is not a courtroom. It is the governing body of the county. Think of it like a 5-person city council with a mayor -- except they call them commissioners and a county judge.
If you have ever wondered why potholes on one street get fixed by the city and the next street over it is the county -- this is why. The county runs systems that most people assume belong to the city.
Commissioners Court meets most Tuesdays. Any resident can attend and speak during public comment.
Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just a Bill -- the classic that started it all
County ordinances work differently than federal laws, but the basics are the same. Someone proposes an item. It goes on the agenda. Commissioners discuss it. They vote. 3 out of 5 is a majority.
The County Judge can put items on the agenda. So can any commissioner. The public can request items too, though it takes persistence.
The budget is the biggest vote of the year. It sets the property tax rate and decides how $4.1 billion gets spent. Budget hearings happen every August and September. That is when your voice carries the most weight.
Source: harriscountytx.gov/Government/Commissioners-Court, Harris County Budget Office
Meetings are most Tuesdays at 10 AM at 1001 Preston, downtown Houston. You can sign up to speak during public comment. No appointment needed. Source: harriscountytx.gov
Look up your precinct at harriscountytx.gov/Precinct-Lookup. Your commissioner has a local office in your area of the county with staff who handle road repairs, park issues, and community services.
Every August-September, Commissioners Court holds public hearings on the county budget and tax rate. This is when decisions about jail funding, flood projects, and health care get made. Hearings are live-streamed. Source: Harris County Budget Office