Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 281.051. Contracting Authority

(a) With the approval of the commissioners court, the board may, in performing its powers under Section 281.050, contract or cooperate with:

(b) With the approval of the commissioners court, the board may contract with:

(c) The board shall encourage and promote participation by all sectors of the business community, including small businesses and businesses owned by members of a minority group or by women, in the process by which the district enters into contracts.  The board shall develop a plan for the district to identify and remove barriers that do not have a definite or objective relationship to quality or competence and that unfairly discriminate against small businesses and businesses owned by members of a minority or by women.  These barriers may include contracting procedures and contract specifications or conditions.