Chapter Two
Policy Center
Learn about the candidates vying for the chance to collect and spend your tax dollars, set policies and govern the third-largest county in the country.
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Section sponsored by
Harris County
Commissioner
The county judge and four commissioners make up Commissioners Court, the governing body of Harris County, tasked with setting policies that impact millions of residents.
Your taxes
- Commissioners vote to set property tax rates for the county, port of Houston, Harris Health District and Harris County Flood Control District.
- Commissioners adopt Harris County’s annual, multi-billion-dollar budget, determining how your tax money is spent.
Your government
- For the nearly 2 million residents living in unincorporated Harris County, your county commissioner is your most local government representative.
- Commissioners determine what services, institutions and projects to invest in and prioritize.
- Commissioners Court is tasked with filling vacancies and appointing officials; maintaining buildings, roads and parks; constructing roads and bridges that are not part of the state highway system; setting salaries, expenses, and allowances for appointed officials; issuing bonds; and overseeing courthouses, jails, and libraries.
Harris County
Commissioners Court
Harris County Commissioners Court is made up of five members.
Commissioners are elected to represent residents of four geographic areas throughout the county called precincts.
The county judge is elected by the entire county and represents all residents.
County commissioners
Harris County commissioners are elected to staggered 4-year terms.
Two of the four commissioners are up for reelection this November.
Commissioners serve more than 4.5 million residents, work with the county judge to adopt a budget; set tax rates; build and maintain county infrastructure; and oversee county services.
Enter your Harris County address to learn what precinct you live in
Not up for election
County Judge: Lina Hidalgo
Up for election
Commissioner, Precinct 1
Not up for election
Commissioner, Precinct 2
Up for election
Commissioner, Precinct 3
Not up for election
Commissioner, Precinct 4
Harris County
Tax Assessor-Collector
The Harris County tax assessor-collector collects and disburses property taxes for multiple area governments and acts as the county’s voter registrar, tasked with registering voters and maintaining the voter rolls for Harris County.
Your taxes
- Collects and disburses property taxes for numerous area governments
- Collects hotel/motel occupancy taxes for Harris County and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
Your elections
- Registers voters in Harris County
- Maintains the county’s voter rolls
Updating your legal documents
- Performs vehicle registrations and title transfers
- Renews beer & wine and liquor licenses in Harris County
- Provides coin-operated machine permits
Harris County
Tax Assessor Collector
Incumbent Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett, a Democrat, chose not to seek re-election this year. Tap below to learn more about the candidates looking to replace her.
Republican
Steve Radack
Democrat
Annette Ramirez
Harris County
Attorney
The county attorney represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Toll Road Authority and 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters. The county attorney also provides legal advice to county officials and employees, and enforces environmental laws.
Legal work
The county attorney’s office is broken down into several divisions, including:
- Compliance & Revenue
- Defensive Litigation
- Affirmative & Special Litigation
- Children’s Protective Services
- Disability and Elder Law
- Employment
- Real Estate
- General Counsel
- Hospital District
- Environmental
- Property Tax
Harris County
Attorney
The county attorney will be on the ballot for all Harris County voters this November. Learn more about the candidates below.
Democrat (incumbent)
Christian Menefee
