By Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer
Proposition 12 will appear on ballots as “the constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
Here is why I am voting against Proposition 12.
Removes the ability for Galveston County voters from electing their representation for the position of County Treasurer. Ultimately, this will give the control to Commissioners Court hereby removing the autonomy between the court and the elected County Treasurer. Currently, the elected County Treasurer has autonomy from the court and can dispute the legality of finances as necessary without being directly fired. If the duties of the elected County Treasurer are disbursed to appointed officials that answer to Commissioners Court, then the court can control the outcomes by hiring/firing the individual if they do not receive their own expected outcomes from the appointed official. That is why having elected officials with separation of duties and autonomy from Commissioners Court is crucial.
Having an elected County Treasurer provides for a system of checks and balances between the County Treasurer and the County Auditor. This provides for a system that prevents too much concentration of power over the county finances from residing with one individual or Commissioners Court. Each office has their governing duties by law that supports a healthy division of power between officials.
Why does the entire state vote on this for Galveston County? Because Prop 12 is a constitutional amendment, and the entire state must agree to amend our Constitution. This amendment would further erode our constitution from its original intent from where our people elect their representation and have separation of duties.
Galveston claims this will save money, but how? The duties must still be performed. The function of County Treasurer isn’t eliminated. As such, the duties are transferred to other departments, the staff of the Treasurer are transferred to other departments and the potential savings from the elected official salary is absorbed by the additional staff or raises given to the appointed official’s salary for performing more duties. There is no savings, only a loss of voter’s voice at the polls.
Why did Galveston seek abolition? There was a dispute between the County Judge and the elected County Treasurer. The Judge sought a resolution from Commissioners Court to seek to abolish the office in retaliation. Once a county passes a resolution to abolish, then both a Senator and State Representative must carry these bills through the legislative process. If it passes both chambers, then it goes to the voters of the entire state to amend the state constitution. The main reason this bill passed to be on the November ballot is because in the House, where this bill should have died, the author of the bill in the House was Rep. Greg Bonnen, (R) District 24, and also the Chair of Appropriations. So, he has the control of what bills get heard in Appropriations. Nearly every member of the House voted in favor of this bill in fear of their own appropriation bills not being heard. It was politics at its worst. No elected official should fear abolition from Commissioners Court if there is a personal dispute, or if Commissioners Court disagrees with the elected official for performing their jobs in a way for which they disagree. If an elected official is not performing their duties, then we have an election process to remedy the issue. Take it to the polls and let the people speak.
Does Prop 12 affect Denton County? No, it does not directly impact Denton County. So why should you be concerned and vote No on Prop 12? Because it sets a very dangerous precedent. The office of County Treasurer is a viable office as long as money and finances exist in county government. Someone has to count the money. Someone has to pay the bills. Someone has to maintain the cash ledgers and manage banking. By state statutes, County Treasurers are the custodian of county funds. How could that duty be obsolete as long as there is money? Abolition to remove the County Treasurer is self-serving and not in the best interest of the people. We as elected officials are elected by the people to do what is right, to protect our districts. We are not here to destroy the structure of county government and remove the voice of the people.
Final Thoughts
As your elected County Treasurer, I took an Oath of Office that said “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of County Treasurer of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God.” I took this oath seriously and I’m asking you to help me to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution…. of this State.” Vote AGAINST Prop 12.
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