Tex.
Local Gov't Code Section 292.006
Branch Office of County Clerk
(a)
On the request of the county clerk, the commissioners court of a county may provide by any means, operate, and maintain one or more branch offices at any place in the county for the county clerk.(b)
If a branch office is provided under this section in a building owned by the county, the commissioners court shall operate and maintain the building in the same manner that it operates and maintains the county courthouse. The commissioners court shall have care and custody of the building and may place any limitations on the use and maintenance of the building it finds necessary.(c)
The county clerk may authorize one or more of the clerk’s deputies to work in the branch office to conduct any business as determined by the county clerk and in accordance with Subsection (d).(d)
If the recording of instruments or documents in the county’s official records is permitted at a branch office by the county clerk, the recording must be by electronic means and the electronically recorded instruments or documents must be available without delay to members of the public in the county clerk’s office at the county seat. For purposes of this subsection, an instrument or document is available if it is capable of being:(1)
electronically examined by a member of the public in the county clerk’s office at the county seat; and(2)
placed into a format and medium that a member of the public can electronically process using technology that is generally available and nonproprietary.(e)
On a daily basis, as directed by the county clerk, a deputy at a branch office shall file all original records made at that office during the previous day with the county clerk’s office at the county seat not later than the start of the next business day.(1)
a population of 90,001 to 225,000;(2)
an assessed valuation on property for property tax purposes of more than $125 million;(3)
four or more municipalities; and(4)
a municipality with a population of more than 50,000.(b)
If the commissioners court of a county determines that the courthouse is inadequate to properly house all county offices, that the jail is inadequate to properly confine prisoners, or that an agricultural building is necessary, the commissioners court may purchase, construct, or acquire in another manner a building and, when necessary, a site for the building to satisfy the determined need at any location in the county. The building may contain an auditorium, which may be used by the commissioners court or a county office or officer for any proper county or public purpose. The building or site must be paid for from the permanent improvement fund.(b)
The commissioners court of a county may acquire land for a branch county office building, may purchase, construct, repair, equip, or improve the building, and may acquire the building through a lease or lease with an option to purchase, at a location in a municipality that:(1)
has a population of 10,000 or more;(2)
is not the county seat; and(3)
is not contiguous to the county seat.(c)
The commissioners court may issue bonds or certificates of indebtedness and may levy and collect taxes to implement this section. Bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued under this section are negotiable instruments and may be paid from the permanent improvement fund of the county.(d)
Bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued under this section must:(1)
be authorized by order of the commissioners court;(2)
be signed by the county judge, attested by the county clerk, and registered by the county treasurer;(3)
mature in 40 years or less;(4)
bear interest at a rate not to exceed the interest rate prescribed by Chapter 1204 (Interest Rate), Government Code; and(5)
have attached coupons evidencing the interest.(e)
Bonds under this section must be issued in compliance with Subtitles A and C, Title 9, Government Code.(f)
The commissioners court shall submit bonds and certificates issued under this section and records relating to their issuance to the attorney general. If the attorney general approves the bonds or certificates as issued in accordance with state law, the comptroller of public accounts shall register them. On approval, registration, and delivery to the purchaser, the bonds or certificates are incontestable.(g)
This section does not permit the establishment of a branch office away from the county seat if this establishment is forbidden by other law.
Source:
Section 292.006 — Branch Office of County Clerk, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.292.htm#292.006 (accessed May 11, 2024).
