Local Government in Texas

Municipal Systems 2:

Special Districts

The Unitary State• In unitary states, authority

flows generally downward– Citizens elect state gov’t– States develop and

administer policy either • Directly to citizens, • Or indirectly through

counties• These policies are generally

uniform throughout the state: the ‘general law’

• Another system to develop and administer policy specific to individual communities:– Municipal government

• Cities• Special Districts

Central Government

County A County B County C

CitizensCitizens Citizens

City

City

City

SD SDCity

Special Districts

• Constitutional Basis– Some districts established by the Texas Constitution– Creation permitted under the Texas Constitution

• By the Legislature• By counties• By cities

• Number of Special Districts: 3000+• Generally ‘single-function’ districts

– Create and administer policy within a narrow, predetermined area

Types of Special Districts in Texas

• Independent School Districts

• Community College Districts

• Public Service Districts

• Regulatory Districts

Independent School Districts

• Administer elementary and secondary education policy

• Maintains public school system

• Regulated by the Texas Education Agency

• Funded by property taxes

ISD Structure• Resembles council-

manager model of city charter

• Resident Voters elect Board of Trustees– At-large– By district/precinct – DISD uses district

system• School Board appoints a

superintendent and a few other district-level offices

• Superintendent appoints other district officers– May require Board

approval

Resident Voters

School District Board of Trustees

Financial Officer

Superintendent

Attorney

Liaison

Secretary

Other ISD offices

Appointed by Superintendent

Community College Districts

– Administer part of public higher education policy• Low-cost University-level courses• Lower division (“First-” and “Second-year”) courses• Remediation• Workforce development

– Maintains Community College System– Regulated by

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board • Interstate accreditation agencies (e.g. SACS)

– Funded by property taxes and by appropriation by the Texas Legislature

Community College District Structure

• Varies with individual charters– Single college– Single college with multiple campuses– Multiple colleges

• Typically similar to ISD structures– Elected Board of Trustees– Board appoints Chancellor and other principal officers– Chancellor may appoint subordinate officers

• Often by and with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees

Public Service Districts• May be created through any of

several methods– Act of the Texas Legislature– Compact among municipalities– City ordinance

• Provide specific service to the public– Airport service– Public transit service– Public utilities

Public Service District Structure

• Varies with the method of establishment• Legislative Act

– May either be elected by voters in the district or appointed in such manner as the state legislature directs

• Inter-municipal compact– Member cities appoint board members through city

councils

• City Ordinance– Originating city council appoints members

Regulatory Districts• Generally similar in

structure to Public Service Districts

• Usually not elected– Appointed by the agency

that established the district

• Exercise regulatory power – Specific policy areas– Limited jurisdictional

boundaries