Understanding Bastrop County Commissioners Court
- T.j. Johnson
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Let's take an in-depth look at the Bastrop County Commissioners Court—who serves on it, what roles they fulfill, and how they serve the community:

🏛️ What Is the Commissioners Court?
In Texas, the Commissioners Court is the primary governing body of each county. It consists of:
County Judge: Elected countywide, presides over the court, serves as the county’s chief executive, budget officer (in smaller counties), emergency management director, and occasionally a limited judicial officer (communityimpact.com, countyprogress.com).
Four County Commissioners: Each elected from one of four precincts, each commissioners court member has a vote on setting budgets, tax rates, admin functions, and infrastructure projects (countyprogress.com).
County Clerk: Ex‑officio, non‑voting member responsible for minutes and record‑keeping .
They function collectively—legislative, executive, and administrative—and handle everything from approving the county’s annual budget and tax rate to maintaining roads, bridges, county facilities, and emergency preparedness .
👥 Current Elected Members (2025)
🔹 County Judge
As of my latest search, Bastrop’s County Judge (elected county‑wide) presides over the court. (Specific name not in the sources; likely Judge Paul Pape re-elected previously). The Judge:
Presides over meetings—but votes like any commissioner
Oversees budget, tax rate, emergency operations
Can perform limited judicial duties in smaller counties (reddit.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)
🛠️ What They Do & How That Helps You
1. Fiscal & Tax Policy
Decide annual county budget
Set the property tax rate
Approve or issue bonds and Certificates of Obligation for funding major projects (countyprogress.com, reddit.com)
2. Infrastructure Oversight
Build and maintain roads and bridges in each precinct (en.wikipedia.org)
Approve subdivision plats and county land use planning
Oversee county buildings, parks, libraries, and sanitation services (countyprogress.com)
3. Administrative & Emergency Functions
Enact policies via court orders
Manage county facilities and fill administrative vacancies
County Judge directs emergency management, including disaster response
4. Public Meetings & Transparency
Hold public hearings—on budget, tax rates, traffic control, zoning-related matters (countyprogress.com)
Meetings operate under Open Meetings and Public Information laws (countyprogress.com)

💬 Why It Matters to You
Commissioners directly influence road safety and transportation access, especially in rapidly growing areas facing development pressure (communityimpact.com).
Budget decisions affect emergency services, jail conditions, libraries, and county support services.
They ensure transparency and accountability, holding hearings where residents can voice opinions.
Through local precinct commissioners, residents have direct representation in county-level government.
🔹 Bastrop County Commissioners by Precinct
Here is the contact information for each of your County Commissioners. Data for each precinct based on Bastrop County’s official site.
Bastrop County Judge
County Judge
Phone: (512) 332-7201
Fax: (512) 581-7103
Executive Assistant
Phone: (512) 332-7201
Fax: (512) 581-7103
Administrative Assistant/Court Coordinator
Phone: (512) 332-7201
Fax: (512) 581-7103
Precinct 1 – Butch Carmack (R)
Commissioner Precinct 1
Phone: (512) 332-7295
Fax: (512) 332-7269
charles.carmack@co.bastrop.tx.us
Commissioner Assistant Precinct 1
Phone: (512) 581-4001
Fax: (512) 332-7269
Road & Bridge Foreman Precinct 1
601 Cool Water Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 581-4001
Fax: (512) 549-5174
Precinct 2 – Clara Beckett (R)
Commissioner
Phone: (512) 581-4002Fax:
(512) 581-4005
clara.beckett@co.bastrop.tx.us
Commissioner Assistant Precinct 2
Phone: (512) 581-4021
Fax: (512) 581-4005
Road & Bridge Foreman Precinct 2
911 S. MLKSmithville, Tx 78957
Phone: (512) 581-4017
Fax: (512) 237-4986
tyrone.washington@co.bastrop.tx.us
Road & Bridge Assistant Foreman Precinct 2
kenneth.trench@co.bastrop.tx.us
Precincts 3 - Mark Mouth (R)
Commissioner Precinct 3
Phone: (512) 581-4000
Fax: (512) 581-4005
Commissioner Assistant Precinct 3
Phone: (512) 581-4000
Fax: (512) 581-4005
Road & Bridge Foreman Precinct 3
207 Fohn RoadRed Rock 78662
Phone: (512) 581-4000
Fax: (512) 581-4005
Precincts 3 - David Glass (R)
Commissioner Precinct 4
Phone: (512) 332-7267
Fax: (512) 581-4005
Commissioner Assistant Precinct 4
Phone: (512) 581-4004
Fax: (512) 581-4005
amanda.mickelson@co.bastrop.tx.us
Road & Bridge Foreman Precinct 4
1133 Dildy DriveElgin, Tx 78621
Phone: (512) 581-7140
myles.milburn@co.bastrop.tx.us
✅ In Summary
The Bastrop County Commissioners Court—led by four precinct commissioners and the County Judge—handles the fiscal, infrastructural, civic, and emergency functions of county government. They are pivotal in managing local priorities, from roads and public safety to fiscal stewardship and policy-making. Your precinct commissioner is your advocate in ensuring your community’s needs are heard and addressed at the county level.
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