The job of the county commissioner calls for hands-on service delivery as well as policy-making budget decisions. Four commissioners, each elected from a quarter of the county’s population, serve along with the county judge on the commissioners court. In addition to assuring that county roads are maintained, commissioners vote with the county judge to set the budget for all county departments and adopt a tax rate. Among other responsibilities, the commissioners court:Sets the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and employment level for the county;Sets commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries;Calls, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections;Sets employment and benefit policy;Establishes long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs plans;Acquires property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public’s best interest;Reviews and approve subdivision platting and wastewater treatment for rural areas;Provides rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection;Oversees the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges;Appoints non-elected department heads and standing committees;Supervises and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and facilities;Adopts a county budget;Determines county tax rates;Fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions; andHas exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Midwestern State University in 2010 and am currently completing a Master of Engineering in Technical Management at Texas A&M University (Class of 2026). I have been a small business owner in the HVAC and plumbing industry for over eight years, gaining hands-on experience in budgeting, managing employees, controlling costs, and delivering results. I value community involvement, open communication, and responsible leadership, and I am committed to serving Wichita County with integrity and transparency.
County infrastructure should be maintained through proactive planning, preventative maintenance, and responsible budgeting. As a business owner in the HVAC and plumbing industry, I have firsthand experience using preventative maintenance to reduce failures, control costs, and extend the life of equipment and facilities. I will apply the same disciplined approach to county roads, drainage systems, and public buildings to improve reliability and maximize taxpayer value. I support data-driven evaluations to prioritize projects based on safety, usage, and long-term savings, and collaboration with county staff, engineers, and the public to ensure practical, cost-effective solutions.
First, fiscal responsibility and long-term financial stability. The county must carefully manage taxpayer dollars, control operating costs, and plan responsibly for future capital needs. This includes reviewing spending for efficiency, prioritizing essential services, and maintaining a sustainable budget that avoids unnecessary tax increases whenever possible.
Second, infrastructure reliability and public services. Roads, drainage, and county facilities directly affect safety, economic activity, and quality of life. The county should invest wisely in maintenance and improvements while balancing affordability and long-term value.
Transparency builds public trust and accountability. I support making financial information easy for the public to access and understand, including budgets, contracts, and major expenditures.
I would advocate for clear explanations of project costs, competitive bidding practices, and regular public reporting on major contracts and capital projects.
Name
Jeff Watts
City
Iowa Park
State
TX
Zip Code
76367
I currently serve as Wichita County Commissioner, Pct 4. I have hundreds of hours of continuing education and leadership training for my commissioner role. I have served on the local school board, as a city secretary as well as County Commissioner. My extensive business background also molds me to be a strong conservative leader.
Wichita County has many aging structures, which we have been aggressively remodeling for several years. We have made large strides with the Courthouse and Annex as well as other building such as the Iowa Park Annex. We will continue to upgrade these structures and sell facilities which no longer serve a county purpose. Precinct 4 has continued to upgrade county roads throughout the precinct and plans to remain aggressive in totally rebuilding roadways to achieve as long of road life as possible.
The first priority is to keep taxes as low as possible and continue to find ways which allow this to be possible. We must manage expenses and we have been successful maintaining a low rate which effects every taxpayer in Wichita County. Operating the County Budget as a conservative leader is paramount in keeping taxes low.
The second priority is managing our employees in an everchanging environment. These men and women serve the citizens of Wichita County providing all the services which the county is charged to do. Maintaining good personnel, the largest budgeting expense within the budget, in the most advantageous way is paramount.
I believe that the expenses of the county should be easily seen by any interested person and after becoming a commissioner, I initiated a review process for these expenses. They are available to the public at any time. I strive to create a transparent process in the creation of any contract the county enters. We make sure that all agreements and contracts flow through our commissioner meetings and the public has full ability to review them at any time.
