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County and District Officials' Responsibilities
County Attorney
Mark Henkes
Address: 100 W. Main, PO Box 706, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-3217
Fax: 254-386-8511
Effective enforcement of the law requires the sure-handed expertise of a knowledgeable prosecutor. The main
duties of the county and/or district attorney is to represent the state in criminal cases. The county and/or
district attorney works with law enforcement officers in the investigation and preparation of cases to be
heard before the criminal courts. When requested in writing, the county attorney provides legal counsel to
county officers. The overwhelming importance of the office of public prosecutors arises from the fact that
upon the prosecuting attorney rests the power of determining whether prosecution in any given case shall be
inaugurated or, if inaugurated, pushed to a successful conclusion. Other duties include prosecution of
juvenile offenders, representation of victims of violence in protective orders and representing the Texas
Department of Protective & Regulatory services in removing children from abusive households.
County Auditor
Dicie Moyers
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 117, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1270
Fax: 254-386-1271
Email:
auditor@hamiltoncountytx.org
The county auditor maintains the integrity of financial administration of county government. The county
auditor's primary duty is to over see financial record-keeping for the county and to assure that all
expenditures comply with the county budget. The county auditor, by law, has continuous access to all books and
financial records and conducts detailed reviews of all county financial operations. The office of county
auditor is neither created by nor under the hierarchical control of the administrative body - the
commissioners court. While commissioners court is the budgeting body in county government, both the county
auditor and commissioners court are required, by law, to approve or reject claims for disbursement of county
funds. The integrity of county financial administration is entrusted to a dual control system of "checks and
balances." The county auditor has general oversight of all the books and records of all county officials and
is charged with strictly enforcing laws governing county finances.
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County Clerk
Debbie Rudolph
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 107, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1205
Fax: 254-386-8727
Email:
countyclerk@hamiltoncountytx.org
Without county clerks, many of government's underlying responsibilities would go undone. The main duties of
the county clerk are:
1.) Administering all county and state elections, including early voting and primaries, unless the
commissioners court has transferred the function to the tax assessor-collector or an office of county election
administrator
2.) Serving as clerk of the county court and the commissioners court and keep records of the proceedings
3.) Acting as recorder of deeds and other instruments
4.) Filing and recording birth and death certificates
5.) Recording assumed names, wills and probate
6.) Issuing marriage licenses
7.) Accounting for all funds paid to the office by way of fines and fees, and the amount owed to county court
jurors for service.
In Texas counties with a population of less than 8,000, unless there has been a special election, the county
clerk also serves as the district clerk, assuming all constitutional and statutory duties of the district
clerk, along with those of county clerk.
County Commissioners
Precinct 1: Johnny Wagner
Address: 102 N. Rice, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-8542
Fax: 254-386-8727
Email:
jwagner@hamiltoncountytx.org
Precinct 2: Mark Tafel
Address: 102 N. Rice, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-4942
Fax: 254-386-8727
Email:
pct2@hamiltoncountytx.org
Precinct 3: Lloyd Huggins
Address: 102 Railroad Street, Hico, TX 76457
Office Phone: 254-796-4133
Fax: 254-796-4133
Precinct 4: Dickie Clary
Address: 102 N. Rice, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-372-3339
Fax: 254-386-8727
Email:
dickie.clary@co.hamilton.tx.us
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The job of the county commissioner calls for hands-on service delivery as well as policy-making budget
decisions. Four commissioners, each elected from a quarter of the county's population, serve along with the
county judge on the commissioners court. In addition to assuring that county roads are maintained,
commissioners vote with the county judge to set the budget for all county departments and adopt a tax rate.
Among other responsibilities, the commissioners court:
1.) Sets the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and employment level for the county
2.) Sets commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries
3.) Calls, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections
4.) Sets employment and benefit policy
5.) Establishes long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs
plans
6.) Acquires property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public's best interest
7.) Reviews and approve subdivision platting and wastewater treatment for rural areas
8.) Provides rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection
9.) Oversees the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges
10.) Appoints non-elected department heads and standing committees
11.) Supervises and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and facilities
12.) Adopts a county budget
13.) Determines county tax rates
14.) Fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions
15.) Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county.
County Constable
Precinct 3: Vacant
These peace officers are the first link in the county's chain of law enforcement. Along with their deputies,
constables have all the enforcement powers of Texas peace officers. They are sometimes referred to as the
executive officer of the justice of the peace courts. Their duties are to:
1.) Subpoena witnesses
2.) Act as bailiff
3.) Execute judgments
4.) Service of process
In large metropolitan counties the constable may also assist the county and district courts. In addition, they
may perform patrol functions and make criminal investigations. They are involved in the overall effort to
reduce the effects of crime in their communities, including in some cases the operation of truancy programs.
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On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Programs
Billy Hopson
Address: 101 E. Henry, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-3832
Email:
hcei@hamiltoncountytx.org
Hamilton County has received grant funding through the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board to
implement a bacteria reduction program designed to provide limited financial assistance for eligible property
owners to repair or replace their existing septic systems which are not functioning properly.
County Judge
Randy Mills
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 124, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1290
Fax: 254-386-1291
Email:
countyjudge@hamiltoncountytx.org
The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who
presides over a five-member commissioners court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county
government operations.
The county judge handles such widely varying matters as hearings for beer and wine license applications,
hearing on admittance to state hospitals for the mentally ill and mentally retarded, juvenile work permits and
temporary guardianships for special purposes. The judge is also responsible for calling elections, posting
election notices and for receiving and canvassing the election returns. The county judge may perform marriages.
A county judge in Texas may have judicial responsibility for certain criminal, civil and probate matters -
responsibility for these functions vary from county to county. In those counties in which the judge has
judicial responsibilities, the judge has appellate jurisdiction over matters arising from the justice courts.
The county judge is also head of civil defense and disaster relief, county welfare and in counties under
225,000 population, the judge prepares the county budget along with the county auditor or county clerk.
County Justice of the Peace
Precinct 1: James Lively
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 115, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1221
Fax: 254-386-1223
Email:
jp1@hamiltoncountytx.org
Precinct 3: Laurie Brous
Address: Hamilton County Annex, PO Box 533, Hico, TX 76457
Office Phone: 254-796-4470
Email:
lbrous_98@yahoo.com
The justice of the peace is the legal jurisdiction closest to the average citizen.
Section 19 of Article 5 of the Texas Constitution provides that: justice of the peace courts have original
jurisdiction in criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only and such other jurisdiction as
may be provided by law. Original jurisdiction is the authority to accept a case at its inception, try it and
pass judgment based upon the laws and facts. This is distinguished from appellate jurisdiction which is
jurisdiction to review a court's action. The justice of the peace performs the functions of a magistrate and
conducts inquests.
A justice of the peace may issue warrants for search and arrest, conduct preliminary hearings, administers
oaths, perform marriages and serve as a coroner in counties where there is no provision for a medical examiner.
The justice court also functions as a small claims court in civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is
not in district or county court and the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000. They can also deal with
matters concerning foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens on personal property.
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County Sheriff
Gregg Bewley
Address: 1108 S. Rice, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-8128
Fax: 254-386-8727
For Emergencies Dial 911
Email:
sheriff@hamiltoncountytx.org
Long respected as the county's top lawman, the sheriff has a range of duties that include criminal
investigations, traffic enforcement, operation of the jail and other responsibilities.
Duties of the sheriff include:
1.)Providing security for the operation of county and district courts
2.)Enforcing traffic laws, other county ordinances and other state laws
3.)Service of process
4.)Accepting bail for prisoners in his custody
5.)Conducting sales of seized and unclaimed properties
6.)Taking charge of and responsibility for the county jail and prisoners.
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Terry Short
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 110, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1230
Fax: 254-386-1233
Email:
taxassessor@hamiltoncountytx.org
Because of the wide range of responsibilities performed by the assessor-collector, most citizens deal with
this county official more frequently than any other office.
The major tax duty of the assessor-
collector, who collects property taxes, is the assessment (calculation) of taxes on each property in the county
and collection of that tax as established by the Constitution and the State Property Tax Code. In addition, as
an agent of the Texas Department of Transportation, the assessor-collector is responsible for the registration
and licensing of motor vehicles owned by residents of the county.
Another duty of the county tax assessor-collector is that of voter registrar. In most Texas counties, a person
would register to vote through the office of county tax assessor-collector. In a few counties, the
commissioners court has designated the county clerk or an elections administrator to provide this function.
The county tax office voter registration responsibilities include accepting applications for voter
registration, issuing voter certificates, maintaining voter registration lists, verifying petitions for local
option elections and submitting required reports to the Secretary of State's Office.
The county tax assessor-collector is also responsible for the collections of special fees imposed by the county
and state on coin-operated vending machines, alcoholic beverage permits and registration and titling boats.
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County Treasurer
Debbie Broyles Eoff
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 105, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1260
Fax: 254-386-1262
Email:
treasurer@hamiltoncountytx.org
The county treasurer is the county's banker.
The county treasurer, as the chief custodian of county finance, shall:
* Receive all monies belonging to the county from whatever source;
* Keep and account for all monies in a designated depository; and
* Pay and apply or disburse all monies in such a manner as commissioners court may direct, by law.
All receipts of any official belonging to the county must be turned over to the county treasurer daily. The
county treasurer often acts as the chief liaison between the county and all depository banks. In this capacity,
he or she maintains records of all deposits and withdrawals, and reconciles all bank statements, thus assuring
their accuracy and the safety of county funds. The county treasurer, who may be designated as the county's
investment officer, is required to submit regular reports on county finance to the members of commissioners
court to inspect and verify.
District Attorney - 220th District
B. J. Sheppard
Address: PO Box 368, Meridian, TX 76665
Meridian Office Phone: 254-435-2994
Effective enforcement of the law requires the sure-handed expertise of a knowledgeable prosecutor. The main
duties of the county and/or district attorney is to represent the state in criminal cases. The county and/or
district attorney works with law enforcement officers in the investigation and preparation of cases to be heard
before the criminal courts. When requested in writing, the county attorney provides legal counsel to county
officers. The overwhelming importance of the office of public prosecutors arises from the fact that upon the
prosecuting attorney rests the power of determining whether prosecution in any given case shall be inaugurated
or, if inaugurated, pushed to a successful conclusion. Other duties include prosecution of juvenile offenders,
representation of victims of violence in protective orders and representing the Texas Department of Protective
& Regulatory services in removing children from abusive households.
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District Clerk - 220th District
Leoma Larance
Address: 102 N. Rice, Ste. 222, Hamilton, TX 76531
Office Phone: 254-386-1240
Fax: 254-386-1242
Email:
districtclerk@hamiltoncountytx.org
The District Clerk serves as the recorder, registrar and custodian of court pleadings, instruments or other
papers that are part of any District Court civil or criminal case.
District Court Administrator - 220th District
Kay Solomon
Address: 101 W. Central, PO Box 250, Comanche, TX 76442
Comanche Office Phone: 325-356-5202
Hamilton Office Phone: 254-286-1243
Email:
crtadm220@verizon.net
The primary duties of this position are to manage, direct, supervise, coordinate, and plan the operations of
all courts and to assist the judiciary in making certain decisions except in those judicial decisions required
by law to be made by judges. Specific duties include jury, docket and trial management as well as filing any
reports and records as required by the court.
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District Judge - 220th District
Phil Robertson
Address: 101 W. Central, Comanche, TX 76442
Meridian Office Phone: 254-356-5202
Meridian Fax: 254-356-2150
Hamilton Office Phone: 254-386-1280
The District Judge presides over the 220th Judicial District Court, which is comprised of Bosque, Hamilton and
Comanche Counties.
The District Judge hears felony criminal cases, divorces, adoptions and civil cases (over $5,000).
District Court Reporter - 220th District
Don McDonald
Address: 102 N. Rice, Hamilton, TX 76531
Hamilton Office Phone: 254-386-1281
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