Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code ch. 151 — COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY | Texas Statutes — Texas

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.001. OFFICER APPLIES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR AUTHORITY TO APPOINT EMPLOYEES.

(a) A district, county, or precinct officer who requires the services of deputies, assistants, or clerks in the performance of the officer's duties shall apply to the commissioners court of the county in which the officer serves for the authority to appoint the employees. If the county has a population of more than 190,000, the officer shall apply for the authority to appoint any other kinds of employees. (b) The application must be sworn and must state: (1) the number of employees required; (2) the title of the positions to be filled; and (3) the amounts to be paid the employees. (c) If the application is made in a county with a population of more than 190,000, it must also describe the duties to be performed by the employees. (d) The application must be accompanied by a statement of the probable receipts from fees, commissions, and compensation to be collected by the office during the fiscal year and the probable disbursements, including salaries and expenses, of the office. (e) This section does not apply to a district attorney or criminal district attorney in a county with a population of more than 190,000.

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.002. COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTS ORDER AUTHORIZING APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES.

After the receipt of an application under this subchapter, the commissioners court by order shall determine the number of employees that may be appointed and shall authorize their appointment.

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.003. OFFICERS MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

After the entry of the commissioners court's order, the officer applying for the employees may appoint them.

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.004. COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY NOT INFLUENCE APPOINTMENT.

The commissioners court or a member of the court may not attempt to influence the appointment of any person to an employee position authorized by the court under this subchapter. SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.901. EMPLOYMENT OF SECRETARIAL PERSONNEL.

The commissioners court of a county may enter an order to employ and provide compensation for secretarial personnel for a district, county, or precinct officer if the court determines that the financial condition of the county and the staff needs of the officer justify doing so.

Tex. LOC. GOV'T Code § 151.903. PERSONNEL AND PAYROLL RECORDS IN COUNTY WITH POPULATION OF 500,000 OR MORE.

(a) In a county with a population of 500,000 or more, the officer employing a person shall, in addition to other requirements of law, file a personnel record about the person if the person is paid in whole or in part from funds of the county or of a flood control district located entirely in the county and the person is employed as: (1) a deputy, an assistant, or any other employee of the county, or of the flood control district, who works under the commissioners court or its appointee; or (2) a deputy or an assistant appointed under Subchapter A by a county or district officer. (b) The personnel record shall be filed when the person is employed and must contain the following information: date of employment, rate of compensation, nature of employment, business or personal history, education, race, sex, age, place and date of birth, previous experience, and any other information essential to the keeping of proper personnel records. (c) Each county officer or department head under whom the persons described by Subsection (a) are employed shall file a signed and sworn payroll at the close of the month, or more often if authorized or required by law. The payroll must state the name of each employee and show the employee's dates and hours of work, rate of compensation, and amount due for the current pay period. In the case of engineers and employees in the field engaged in road, flood control, or construction work, a signed report must accompany the payroll stating the nature, dates, and location of the work performed and containing any other information that may be needed for statistical or accounting purposes. (d) The county auditor shall prescribe the forms and systems, including a system of personnel and equipment records, necessary to carry out this section. The county auditor may enforce any rules adopted under this section. If a person fails to file records or furnish essential information as required under this section, the county auditor or the county treasurer may withhold the payment of salaries until the records are filed or information is furnished as required. In addition, the county auditor may assemble statistics and make recommendations that may be included in the county auditor's annual report required by law. (e) A form adopted under this section is subject to the approval of the county auditor. (f) In a county with a chief personnel officer, the commissioners court may designate the chief personnel officer or the county auditor to approve personnel forms.