Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the responsibilities of the County Judge?

The County Judge is the presiding officer and a voting member of the Bexar County Commissioners Court. In the role of presiding officer, the County Judge oversees all County government departments through the Court´s responsibility for approving annual budgets for the entire County.

The County Judge, as an agent of the State of Texas, approves applications for beer licenses and waivers on mixed drink licenses. The County Judge also signs delayed certificates of birth and may perform wedding ceremonies.

The County Judge is not required to be an attorney, but the Texas Constitution requires that the Judge be well informed in the law of the State of Texas.

2. What is Bexar County Commissioners Court?

The five-member Bexar County Commissioners Court governs Bexar County. Commissioners Court consists of the elected County Judge and four elected precinct Commissioners. The County Judge serves as the presiding officer of Commissioners Court and the spokesperson and ceremonial head of Bexar County government.

Despite its name, Commissioners Court is not a judicial court. Rather, its responsibilities are executive and administrative. The Court's major duties include:

• Setting the tax rate and adopting the County budget;
• Establishing voting precincts, appointing precinct judges, and calling County bond elections;
• Building and maintaining County roads and bridges;
• Approving speed and stop zones in unincorporated areas;
• Building, maintaining, and improving County facilities, including jails;
• Approving plats for residential development in unincorporated areas;
• Letting contracts and authorizing payment of all County bills;
• Appointing certain county officials and hiring personnel; and
• Filling elective and appointive vacancies (1)

(1) Answer adapted from An Introduction to Texas County Government, 1980, by the Texas Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.

3. When and where does Commissioners Court meet?

Commissioners Court normally meets every other Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom located on the second floor of the Bexar County Courthouse, Double Height Courtroom, 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, Texas. On an as-needed basis, the Court also presides over work sessions, public hearings, and other special meetings. Contact the Agenda Coordinator at 210-335-1369 or email the County PIO for more information.

4. Are Commissioners Court meetings televised or streamed?

You may watch the Commissioners Court meetings Live on your PC with most browsers. Click here to watch the Meetings live on your PC.

Additionally, meetings are televised on TV San Antonio channel 21, on days when Commissioners Court Regular Meetings are held. Click here to watch the live meeting on TVSA.

5. What is the relationship between Bexar County and the University Health?

The University Health, formerly known as the Bexar County Hospital System, is a distinct legal and taxing entity. Commissioners Court approves the budget of the Hospital System, but has no other direct control of its operations. Commissioners Court appoints the seven-member Hospital Board of Managers which oversees the University Hospital System. 

University Health Website 

6. What is the relationship between Bexar County and the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum?

The Coliseum Advisory Board (CAB) has oversight of the operations and budget of the Coliseum. The five members of CAB are nominated and approved by Commissioners Court and serve a two-year term. The operations of the Coliseum are funded through event revenues.

7. What is the relationship between Bexar County and the Bexar Appraisal District?

Property appraisals are performed by the Bexar Appraisal District. The Appraisal District is, by law, a completely separate entity from Bexar County. The day-to-day operations of the Appraisal District are run by the Chief Appraiser. The Chief Appraiser, in turn, reports to a five-member board of directors. Members of the board of directors serve a two-year term and are nominated by the governing bodies of the County's different taxing units.

Property taxes are a major source of County funding. Collection of taxes is the responsibility of the elected Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector.

Bexar County Appraisal District Website