POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY ROAD ENGINEER.

(a) The county road engineer is responsible to the commissioners court for the efficient and economical construction and maintenance of the county roads.

(b) The county road engineer may:

(1) appoint for an indefinite term and remove the county road department's personnel, subject to the approval of the commissioners court; and

(2) authorize administrative personnel to employ and remove subordinates.

(c) Except for the purpose of inquiry, the commissioners court shall deal with the county road department's personnel through the county road engineer.

(d) The county road engineer shall attend all meetings of the commissioners court relating to county road matters and may participate in the discussions and make recommendations.

(e) The county road engineer shall:

(1) ensure that the policies of the commissioners court relating to county roads are faithfully executed;

(2) supervise the administration of the county road department;

(3) prepare detailed annual budget estimates for the construction and maintenance of the county roads and the operation of the county road department;

(4) prepare estimates and specifications for the equipment, materials, supplies, and labor necessary for the construction and maintenance of the county roads and the operation of the county road department;

(5) serve as custodian of the equipment, materials, and supplies belonging to the county road department;

(6) prepare plans and specifications for county road construction and maintenance;

(7) maintain cost-accounting records of county road department expenditures;

(8) keep an inventory of county road department equipment, materials, and supplies; and

(9) perform any other duties required by the commissioners court that are consistent with this subchapter.