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When I tell people that I am running for Wichita County Judge, the first question I get asked is: “What does the county judge actually do?” It is absolutely the most important question for voters to ask—and get an answer to—as they consider their voting decision in the next few weeks.
So, what does the county judge actually do? As with most fundamental questions, the best place to start is the Texas Constitution. Article 5 establishes three main requirements: 1) act as the presiding officer of the County Commissioners Court; 2) must be “well informed in the law of the State;” and 3) act as the presiding officer of the County Court with the judicial functions associated with it.
A major part of my work experience during the last eight years has been reading, interpreting, researching, and helping write state law. I am “well informed in the law of the state.” That doesn’t mean I know every line of code, but it does mean I know the broader implications that surround what state law says and how to get answers when there are questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT
Job Requirements
If it involves taxes (taking them or spending them) across the county, roads & bridges outside city limits, borrowing money, the support & burial of the indigent, or the running of elections, it is the job of the County Commissioner’s Court. That court consists of four county commissioners elected by individual precinct as well as the County Judge (elected at large) who leads meetings and makes sure that the Court stays within the bounds of its legal authority (that “well informed in the law of the State” requirement again). Beyond that, the Judge also must be familiar with all the responsibilities and tasks of the court itself, serving as a sort of general administrator for the whole county.
What are the jobs of the Commissioner’s Court? Broadly, to exercise powers over county business as provided by law. There are three main jobs that nearly everyone is aware of: 1) Setting an annual property tax rate; 2) Passing an annual budget; 3) Maintaining roads and bridges not part of the state highway system.
Beyond those core, visible functions, it is also the responsibility of the court to ensure the county is complying with judicial responsibilities with its courts and jail standards. The court also has authority to propose bonds to the voters (as Wichita County recently did with the new jail/Law Enforcement Center), decide on personnel matters in county government (compensation, insurance, travel expenses, etc.), and is responsible for facilities operation and county property decisions. Finally, the county is responsible for public health and welfare in the county which includes support of paupers, indigent health care, judicial processes for the child welfare system in the county, and work with juveniles in probation or involved with the criminal justice system.
I Have the Skills and Experience Needed to Act as Presiding Officer of the Commissioners Court
This role requires someone with good administrative skills and with the ability to work with the other commissioners to achieve consensus on hard questions—especially on taxes and the budget. In a lot of ways, the Court acts as the legislative branch of county government. My work experience and skill set have uniquely prepared me to take on this role and succeed in it.
As I imagine many in county government would tell you, a growing part of the job is following along with changes in state law and the requirements passed along by both the federal and state governments. My 8 years of experience reading, analyzing, and writing legislation show that I have the intelligence and background essential to ensuring our county government can navigate those constant changes. My contacts and relationships with those in Austin and in Washington will also be a benefit to the residents in our area.
BUDGET OFFICER
Job Requirements
In addition to the broad constitutional responsibilities assigned to the County Judge, there are numerous other parts of the job in state law and in practice. The County Judge also serves as the budget officer in Wichita County. That essentially means doing the administrative functions required to prepare the budget including tasks like getting revenue estimates, obtaining necessary budgeting information from each department in county government, and ensuring that laws are followed in the preparation and filing of the budget. Historically, the County Judge provides the first draft of the budget that the Commissioners Court works from to achieve the final product.
I Have the Needed Skills and Experience for Preparing and Overseeing Budgets
Government budgets are not household or business budgets. There are numerous unknowns when state law requires certain responses by the county (such as a local disaster or a major murder trial) that can be very expensive. Furthermore, every dollar budgeted is a dollar that is extracted from taxpayers (over $57 MILLION for the current year). Experience around the state Appropriations process has prepared me to step right in and work to implement a fiscally conservative budget that still takes care of our county needs.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Job Requirements
The County Judge is also the Emergency Management Officer of Wichita County, though many duties have currently been delegated to the Emergency Management Coordinator. Being the Emergency Management Officer gives the County Judge the authority to temporarily declare local disasters (which can be extended by vote of the entire Commissioners Court), requires a local emergency management plan, and, in times of disaster, conveys locally many of the same emergency powers that the Governor possesses.
I Have the Needed Skills and Experience to Perform as the Emergency Management Director of Wichita County
This is a sobering and daunting task for anyone. During the immediate crisis of a natural disaster, it requires quick action, good communication, and effective planning. However, as the last two years of government response to COVID has shown, we also need men and women in government who have the humility to respond to emergencies by asking “how can we help without trying to run people’s lives?”
ELECTIONS
Job Requirements
Because it has been an item in much of the national and state news over the last year, I believe most people would be interested to know that the County Judge also serves an important role in the mechanics of our elections. Administratively, he is responsible for working with the County Clerk and with the County Election Board to take care of the logistical requirements of free, fair, and secure elections. As we have seen here at home recently, that also entails keeping in compliance with changes in state law, like that requiring voting machines that must have an auditable paper record that can be read by the voter. Our county’s current machines did not comply with the law, forcing a decision to acquire new ones.
I Have the Needed Skills and Experience to Oversee Elections
Free, safe, and secure elections are a foundational element for our system of government to function. My familiarity with the changes made and contemplated at the state level will help me do this part of the job.
I also believe that the Commissioner’s Court should consider implementing an Elections Administrator position in county government, to ensure the County Clerk can focus on his/her non-elections duties while we have a person who is solely focused on our elections. It will help us serve residents better.
JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS
Job Requirements
If you hear “county judge” and think of a judge in a Law & Order episode, that is NOT the job of a county judge. In fact, county judges in Texas are not required to perform judicial functions. He or she can perform judicial functions such as hearing certain civil, probate, misdemeanor, juvenile, criminal, and mental health cases as well as performing magistrate duties. However, it is not a requirement of the job and not all county judges perform judicial functions. In fact, over 30 of the state’s 254 county judges do not perform judicial functions.
I Have the Needed Skills and Experience to Perform the Judicial Job Requirements
Communication and a heart to serve are essential on this point. I will continue to have conversations with our local judges to determine what would be most helpful to them in managing their workloads. In discussions with those who work every day in our county courtrooms, it is clear that the most important judicial function for the county judge is ensuring that our judges have the tools to efficiently manage their dockets. Where I can help them do that, I will.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Job Requirements
The County Judge also is responsible for constituent services to all 132,000 of the residents of Wichita County. Whether it be hearing from a person upset about the state of the road in front of their house or a meeting to discuss election security, it is the duty of the county judge to be available to meet with, listen to, and attempt to help a constituent solve an issue they are having with their government. Many times, action can be taken to help. Often, that means getting them connected with their state representative or member of Congress if it has to do with state or federal issues. Sometimes, there is nothing to be done but to listen and to treat them with dignity. Regardless of the outcome, the willingness to do this part of the job is one of the core responsibilities of the county judge.
I Have the Needed Skills and Experience – Local, State and Federal – to Help Constituents Get the Assistance They Need
Constituent services is customer service. I want to help build a culture of excellent customer service in county government and that has been a primary responsibility of every job I’ve had since high school. The County Judge should set the tone for excellent service, and I stand ready to lead well on this.
Excellent service in government requires a thorough knowledge of which agencies have responsibility over a specific problem to help constituents get the assistance they need. It also requires the ability to listen and to ask the right questions. My job experience and temperament have helped prepare me to do that job well.
In Closing
This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive summary of the job. I do hope, though, that it is a helpful, concise job description that will help you make a better-informed decision at the ballot box in the upcoming primary. If it also helps convince you that I am the best candidate for Wichita County Judge, then even better! Please reach out to me at johnsonforcountyjudge@gmail.com if you have questions or want to discuss any of these in more detail.
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