County Treasurers Being Stripped

A pattern seems to be developing in several counties in the area whereby the Cof a portion of their authority.(Express News article entitled “Guadalupe trims treasurer’s duties”, dated, 10/17/07.)

Over a year or two ago, Kerr County did the same thing. Last year, Kendall County did the same thing, and now Guadalupe County. The manner in which the changes were accomplished was also similar: the duties and responsibilities for human resources were removed quickly, the treasurer’s office was physically removed from the main courthouse traffic, a new appointed position was created for the Human Resource activity, and budget transfers were made to accommodate the new activity.

It seems apparent that the reason this is being done is for more power to the commissioner’s court! The Treasurer is an elected official and the only power the Commissioner’s Court has over another elected official is the power of the purse, the budget. The person to head the new department is appointed by the Commissioner’s Court and reports to them, so the court has complete control of the new activity; more expense for the taxpayer; more control to Commissioner’s Court. The similarity in which these changes have been made leaves the perception that something suspicious is going on in county politics! What other elected officers with duel responsibilities are next?

Frank Wetzel