08/20/2026
🏛️ Atascosa County Corner
County Authority:
What Can Counties Do—and What Can’t They Do?
Understanding county government starts with understanding what the law actually allows.
Have you ever wondered why county government can take action on some issues but has limited authority over others?
Texas counties have important responsibilities, but they do not possess the same broad local authority that cities may exercise. Counties may act only when authority is granted by the Texas Constitution or Legislature, along with powers necessarily implied to carry out responsibilities assigned by law.
That means there are many things’ residents may expect county government to do that state law simply does not authorize.
This week’s Atascosa County Corner explains what your county government can—and cannot—do under Texas law.
In this edition, we’re breaking down:
✔️ What Commissioners Court has the authority to do
✔️ What falls outside the County’s authority
✔️ Why some matters must be handled by a city, special district, state agency, or the Texas Legislature
County authority includes adopting the budget and tax rate, maintaining county infrastructure, funding essential services, reviewing subdivisions, enforcing certain state-authorized requirements, entering agreements, and pursuing grants.
However, the County cannot create powers it has not been given, impose broad countywide zoning, deny a lawful private development without legal authority, override another governmental entity’s jurisdiction, or take over responsibilities assigned to another office or agency.
Limited authority does not mean limited responsibility. It means county leaders must work within the law, clearly communicate those limits, and responsibly use every available tool to serve residents.
📲 Swipe through to learn more. If there’s a topic you would like us to cover in a future issue, scan the QR code or leave us a comment below.
Sources:
Texas Constitution—Article V, Section 18: Commissioners Courts
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm
Texas Constitution—Article IX: Counties
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.9.htm
Texas Local Government Code—Chapter 81: Commissioners Court
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.81.htm
Texas Association of Counties—County Government
https://www.county.org
Texas Legislature Online
https://capitol.texas.gov
Information is provided for educational purposes. County authority is determined by the Texas Constitution, Texas statutes, and applicable court decisions.
Your concerns matter—even when the law limits what we can do today. We encourage you to share your ideas with us, attend Commissioners’ Court meetings, and stay engaged. Constructive conversations help us better serve Atascosa County and advocate for the tools our community may need in the future.
An informed community is a stronger community, and we’re committed to making county government easier to understand—one topic at a time.
