<P> The county judge serves as the chief administrator of the county, and as the presiding judge for justice and county courts . In some counties, the county judge exercises judicial functions as a probate and / or county court judge . Even in cases where county judges do not conduct judicial functions, they retain the power to conduct marriages and may also be called upon to conduct administrative hearings, such as those pertaining to liquor license applications . </P> <P> Additionally, the county judge is a statutory member of several important boards, including the juvenile board and the county election commission . Finally, the judge is designated by a long - standing executive order of the governor, pursuant to the Texas Disaster Act of 1974, as the executive officer for civil defense within the county . The county judge is elected county wide to a four - year term coinciding with the term of the governor . </P> <P> Each of the four county commissioners represents an area of the county, or precinct, that is designed to be roughly equal in population to each of the other such areas . In addition to serving as voting members of the court, county commissioners are often charged with overseeing county roads and bridges within their precinct, and are sometimes also responsible for solid waste collection, parks and other services within the precinct . In rural counties, the role of the county commissioner outside of the commissioners court tends to be quite substantial, while in urban counties, the delivery of county services is frequently consolidated in county - wide departments, with the bulk of a commissioner's time being devoted to the commissioners court . The commissioners are elected to staggered, four - year terms, with two taking office every other year, and are elected by the votes of the precinct represented . </P> <P> The county clerk is responsible for recording legal instruments, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds and titles, and for keeping the records of county and justice courts . The county clerk is also a statutory member of certain boards and commissions, such as the elections commission, and may also serve in other capacities as provided by law or local practice . He or she is elected county - wide to a four - year term . </P>

Commissioners court serves judicial functions at the county level