Understanding What a Special District in Texas in Not
Now
that we have explained what special
districts Texas are
in our previous posts, it is time to explain what they are not. Let
us look at a few things that people confuse with special purpose
districts.
They
are not state governments
Special
purpose districts are local agencies. They deliver specific services
to specific people or communities. They operate under state laws and
are autonomous government entities. They are accountable to the
landowners or voters they serve. However, state officials oversee
special purpose districts. Districts must follow the state laws for
bonded debt, special taxes, public hearings and elections.
They
are not cities or county governments
Cities
and counties are general-purpose governments. Cities and counties
offer a broad array of services to protect the safety, health and
welfare of citizens. On the other hand,
special districts can
provide only services that are allowed by state law. Sometimes county
supervisors are special-purpose districts’ governing boards but the
districts are separate local entities.
They
are not school districts
Some
people confuse special purpose districts to school districts but
school districts provide one service and that is public education.
Special purpose districts can deliver a variety of services excluding
education. Special purpose districts rely on local revenues while
school districts get their money from the state government.
They
do not benefit assessment districts
Cities,
counties, school districts and special purpose districts can create
benefit assessment districts or Mello-roos act local community
facilities districts to finance public services and public works.
Mello-Roos districts are financing mechanisms but they don’t
deliver services. Special service districts utilize these types of
financing mechanisms to deliver public services.
They
are not development agencies
Counties
and cities set up community redevelopment agencies to get rid of
blight by paying for private and public improvements. Special districts Texas
don’t exist to get rid of blight. They provide public services that
help communities.
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