Get in touch with us What are COGs? Home About Us General Overview What are COGs? COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT Councils of governments (COG), regional councils, or commissions are political subdivisions of the state codified pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 391. These councils were organized to guide unified development and improve efficiency within regions. These organizations are not governments and have no authority to make laws, levy taxes, or exercise police powers. Texas has 24 COGs that represent all 254 counties. These communities are made up of counties, cities, school districts, and special districts. These organizations were developed from 1966 to the early 1970s. Overview Councils of government guide the unified development of a region, eliminate duplication, and promote regional economies and efficiency. Key Facts Texas has 24 councils of government that represent all 254 counties. These organizations were developed from 1966 to the early 1970s. Councils of government planning activities vary among regions, but typically include: planning for economic growth; water supply and water quality; air quality; transportation; emergency preparedness; and delivery of social services. Each council’s policy decisions are made by its board of directors, which includes at least two-thirds of its members from participating counties or municipalities. Budgetary Impact In fiscal year 2014, Texas’ 24 councils of governments collectively received approximately $877.2 million in revenue from federal, state, and local sources. Statutory Reference Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 391 Service Programs COGs are authorized to conduct planning; assist local governments in implementing plans; contract with local, state, and federal governments and other public and private agencies to provide community services; and assist local governments in solving governmental problems. COGs also serve as intermediaries among federal, state, and local governments while reviewing and commenting on applications for federal and state grants-in-aid and solid waste permits. Texas’ COGs conduct regional planning activities that vary among regions. Typically, these activities include planning for economic growth, water supply and water quality, air quality, transportation, emergency preparedness, implementing regional homeland security strategies, maintaining and improving regional 911 systems, and the delivery of social services. Each council’s policy decisions are made by its board of directors, which includes at least two-thirds of its members from elected officials of participating counties or municipalities. Coordination The Texas Association of Regional Councils is a statewide association developed in 1973 by an interlocal agreement among the state’s 24 COGs. The organization provides COGs a mechanism for the regular exchange of information and ideas; educates other governmental entities and public and private organizations; educates the public about the services and functions of regional councils; and represents the councils when addressing state or federal agencies and legislative bodies. Revenue Sources COGs primarily receive funding from federal sources, but the councils also receive funding from state and local sources. On the local level, a COG collects dues from and for its member governments. A COG may receive a state grant based on the amount of local dues it collects; and it may receive direct or indirect federal grants through the state. In fiscal year 2014, the 24 COGs collectively received approximately $877.2 million in revenue and incurred approximately $868.1 million in expenditures. Figure 1 shows the fiscal year 2014 expenditures and each COG’s two largest program expenditures. Figure 1 Texas Councils of Governments' Expenditures, Fiscal Year 2017 (In Millions) Council Headquarters Total Expenditures Largest Program Expended 2nd Largest Program Expended Panhandle RPC Amarillo $20.2 Workforce Development $12.9 Aging Services $2.8 South Plains AOG Lubbock $5.5 Aging Services $2.0 Emergency Communications $1.6 Nortex RPC Wichita Falls $3.9 Area Agency on Aging $1.6 Emergency Communications $0.7 North Central Texas COG Arlington $144.4 Workforce Development $60.3 Transportation $40.6 Ark-Tex COG Texarkana $14.9 Housing and Urban Development $7.0 Transportation $3.3 East Texas COG Kilgore $40.8 Workforce Development $28.4 Aging Services $3.8 West Central Texas COG Abilene $14.2 Employer of Record Services $4.7 Aging Services $2.8 Rio Grande COG El Paso $6.6 Aging Services $4.9 Emergency Communications $0.7 Permian Basin RPC Midland $5.6 Aging Services $2.1 Emergency Communications $1.3 Concho Valley COG San Angelo $13.7 Family and Children Services $8.3 Emergency Communications $2.4 Heart of Texas COG Waco $7.0 Aging Services $2.9 Transportation $1.5 Capital Area COG Austin $24.5 Emergency Communications $11.8 Aging Services $9.2 Brazos Valley COG Bryan $34.5 Housing and Urban Development $11.2 Workforce Development $10.9 Deep East Texas COG Jasper $26.9 Regional Housing Authority $10.9 Disaster Recovery $6.7 South East Texas RPC Beaumont $51.3 Community Development $39.4 9-1-1 Emergency Network $2.7 Houston-Galveston AC Houston $281.3 Workforce Development $209.0 Transportation $40.7 Golden Crescent RPC Victoria $8.9 Health and Welfare $7.4 Public Safety $1.3 Alamo Arera COG San Antonio $41.6 Aging Services $17.1 Health and Welfare $11.9 South Texas DC Laredo $7.4 HIV Intervention and Prevention $3.6 Aging Services $1.9 Coastal Bend COG Corpus Christi $5.8 Health and Welfare $3.3 Emergency Communications $1.9 Lower Rio Grande Valley DC Weslaco $30.7 Disaster Recovery $8.7 9-1-1 Regional Planning $5.4 Texoma COG Sherman $11.1 Housing and Client Services $4.8 Aging Services $2.9 Central Texas COG Belton $41.2 Housing and Urban Development $13.8 Health and Human Services $11.7 Middle Rio Grande DC Carrizo Springs $12.4 Economic Opportunity $7.5 Public Safety $2.4 Note: RPC=regional planning commission; AOG=association of governments; COG=council of governments; AC=area council; DC=development council. Source: Texas State Auditor's Office, A Summary of Financial and Performance Reports Submitted by Regional Planning Commissions, October 2017 (Report No. 18-003) 1117 Gallagher Drive Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 893-2161 Phone (800) 677-8264 Toll-Free info@texoma.cog.tx.us Upcoming Events DEC 09 FGP Monthly Inservice December 9 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Sherman DEC 11 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event (Sherman) December 11 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Sherman View More… Open Records Requests The Public Information Act Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer’s agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. 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