Smith County Government

County government plays an important part in the history of County residents as we provide services throughout their lives by recording births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, providing health care to indigents, certifying deaths and probating wills of the deceased. Texans depend upon counties to record land records, register voters, hold elections and maintain rural roads. The counties in Texas also maintain the important historical documentation of the state’s past.

Smith County personnel carry out responsibilities in the justice system of the various courts, law enforcement, probation and housing of inmates awaiting trial or punishment, public safety, health, welfare, veteran and agricultural services as well as various administrative functions.

Approximately 700 full and part-time employees work for Smith County in thirty-eight separate departments performing these functions and documenting the collective memory that our civilization requires.

Appointed Offices

State law also prescribes some offices whose Directors are appointed by Elected Officials and it allows the Commissioners Court to create some departments and appoint personnel to run them. The Auditor, who is appointed by District Judges, is an example of a state appointed officer.
The Records Service Director is an example of a position created and filled by the Commissioners Court

Smith County Departments

The mixture of independent and group authority, elected and appointed officials, and exclusive and shared power require intra-county cooperation and coordination. To function effectively, Smith County activities require the various offices and the people in them to work as a team. Select the department links to the left for additional information concerning any of the Smith County Department.