Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion ( 1950 )

Aovember 17, 1950
Hon. Robert M. Allen Opinion Ro. Q-1122.
County Attorney
Rusk County Re: Authority of the Com-
Henderson, Texas mIssionera Court to
purchase a radio to be
Installed in a police
patrol car of a municl-
Dear Sir: palitg.
You have requested our opinion relative to the
authority of the Commlssloners' Court of Rusk County to
purchase a radio to be Installed in a police car of the
City of Overton, with the understandingthat the radio
shall remain the property of Rusk County.
The commlssloners'
court is a court of limited
jurisdictionand can only exercise such powers as are au-
thorlzeclby the Constitutionand statutes of t&s State,
either expressed or by necessary implication. Tex. Const.,
Art. V, Sec. 18; Bland v. Orr, 90 Tex. 492, 39 S.W. 558
(1897); El Pas;EFtvy v.n, 106 S.W.2d 393 (Tex.Civ.
APP. 19371; r.a . State, g7.S.W.2d 264 (Tex.Civ.App.
1936, error ref.).
Sub&vision (b) of Article 3899, Vernonn'sCivil
Statutes, authorizes the commissioners court to purchase
radio equipment for the use of the sheriff. Att'y Gen.
ops. O-1906 (lg40), O-3571 (lg41), o-5898 (1944). How-
ever, we find no constitutionalor statutory provision
authorizing the commissioners'courttopurchase a radio
to be lnstallea in a police patrol car for the use ana
benefit of a city or municipality. Therefore we agree
with you that the commissioners'court does not have au-
thority to purchase a radio to be installed In a police
patrol car of a municipality.
SUMMARY
The commissionersfcourt has no au-
thority to purchase a radio to be installed
in a police patrol car of a municipality,
there being no constitutionalor statutory
Hon. Robert M. Allen, page 2 (Q-1122)
provision granting such power. Tex.Const.,
Art. V, Sec. 18; Bland P. Orr, 90 Tex. 492,
39 S.W. 558 (1897');El Paso County v. Rlam,
106 S.W.2d 393 (Tex.iX.v.App.19371; numan
v.,",a:;?.STS.W.26 264 (Tex.Civ.App``
APPROVED% Yours very truly,
J. C. Davis, Jr. PRICE DMIEL
County Affairs Mvision Attorney General
Everett Hutchinson
Executive Assistant
Charles D. Mathews
FirstAssistant
JR:mw