Wharton County district judges may create a child support office, and if they do, they must manage appointments, bonding, accounting, audits, funding, and payments under this section.
Sec. 152.2473. WHARTON COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE. (a) The judges of the district courts in Wharton County may establish a child support office in the county juvenile office to collect and disburse child support payments that are required by court order to be made to the office. The office shall disburse the payments in the manner the court believes to be in the best interest of the parties in the case. (b) The judges of the district courts in a county served by an office may appoint an administrator and other assistants to serve two-year terms. The administrator shall obtain a surety bond in an amount determined by the county auditor from a solvent surety company authorized to make the bonds in this state and approved by the county auditor. The bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of the administrator's duties and on the proper accounting of the money entrusted to the administrator. The county shall pay the premium for the bond from the general fund of the county, the child support fund, or any other available fund. (c) The judges shall determine the duties of the administrator and assistants and set their salaries. The salaries are payable in equal monthly installments from the general fund of the county, the child support fund, or any other available fund. The judges must approve a claim for expenses made by the administrator or an assistant or a claim for administrative expenses in operating the child support office, including a claim for payment of equipment and supplies. (d) The office shall keep an accurate and complete record of money received and disbursed under this section. The record is open for public inspection. The county auditor or other authorized county officer or employee shall inspect and examine the records and audit the accounts quarterly. The auditor shall report the results of the audit to the judges and include any recommendations the auditor may have. (e) The child support office may serve one or more of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Matagorda counties. If a child support office serves more than one county, the judges of the district courts in the counties shall determine the location of the office. The officers and employees of the county in which the office is located shall perform the duties prescribed by this section. The counties shall pay the salaries, bond premium, and other expenses in accordance with the ratio that the population of each county bears to the total population of all of the counties served by the office. (f) The commissioners courts shall pay the district court judges $75 a month for performing the duties prescribed by this section. The compensation shall be paid from the general fund of the county and is in addition to any other compensation the judges receive. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 352, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.