Harris County is the third-largest county in the country. Its population of more than 4.5 million rivals that of the entire state of Colorado. Harris County is governed by Harris County Commissioners Court. The Court is composed of a County Judge and four Commissioners. The County Judge is the County’s Chief Executive and a voting member of Commissioners Court. According to state statute, the County Judge is also the County’s Director of Emergency Management.
The Harris County Judge and Commissioners oversee a $4.3 billion budget that helps fund key county services and institutions. As the main governing body of Harris County, Commissioners Court’s responsibilities include adopting a budget; setting tax rates; calling for bond elections; building and maintaining county infrastructure such as roads and bridges; and overseeing county courthouses, jails, libraries, parks, and the Harris County Flood Control District. Harris County currently has more than 75 departments with over 18,000 employees.