Smith County Juvenile Board may create and staff a child support office, and the office must keep records, be audited quarterly, and allow public inspection.
Sec. 152.2182. SMITH COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE. (a) The Smith County Juvenile Board may establish a child support office in the district clerk's office to collect and disburse child support payments that are required by court order to be made to the county. The office shall receive and disburse the payments in the manner the court believes to be in the best interest of the parties in the case. (b) The juvenile board may appoint an administrator and other necessary 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 board 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 board 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 county auditor or other authorized county officer or employee shall inspect and examine the records and audit the accounts quarterly. The record is open to the inspection by the public. The auditor shall report the results of the audit to the judges and include any recommendations the auditor may have. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 352, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.