1. 14.2 County Governments How County Governments are Organized County Characteristics 1.States are comprised of counties 2.Many sizes: L.A. County: 10 million people/Loving County, TX has 45 3.County court houses are located in towns called, “county seat” County Seats All members of the county should be able to get to the county seat in one day by horse back Led to the mapping of the South and Midwest counties Smaller counties than out west

2. Organization of County Government: Elected by Voters County Clerk: keeps records and supervises elections County Coroner: examines causes of death County Sherriff: enforces laws County Treasurer: supervises county funds County Prosecutor: serves as chief legal officer County Tax Assessor: examines taxable property

3. Board of County Commissioners: Elected by Voters Passes laws Administers law enforcement Imposes taxes Employs inspectors May appoint county manager

4. Appointed positions by County Commissioners Public Works Social Services Transportation Administrative Services Health

5. Who Runs a County? Counties are run by a board of elected officials 3 to 5 commissioners sit on a board Serve four year terms Acts as the county’s legislature Makes laws, passes ordinances and sets budget and enforce laws

6. Forms of County Governments: Strong Commission Form Training offered Work part time Considered the “basic form” Acts as both the legislature and executive authority Pass and carry out laws Oversee the work people named to particular offices Great variety of background/not all from government experience Meetings usually held at night

7. Forms of County Governments Commission-Manager form of Government Boards appoints someone as “County Manager” Acts as a City Manager Operates only as a Legislature Appoints top officials Works along side board leaders Commission-Elected Executive Counties create a new office called “County Executive” Elected official (by voters) Carries out the laws for the counties (Legislative position) Appoints top officials Works along side the board leaders

8. Sheriffs, District Attorneys (DA) and More… Sheriffs are elected officials Serve 2-4 years Chief officer for enforcing law Enforces court orders (probation) Runs county jail Shares duties with the police departments (city law enforcement) History of playing leading role in American settlements

9. District Attorney “DA’s office” Brings criminals to justice Also called “County Prosecutor” in some locations Elected by voters in most counties Investigates crimes Brings charges against suspects Works to prove guilt

10. Who handles the money? There are three 1.The Assessor: estimates how much county property is worth. Taxes are based on the Assessors estimate. 2.County Treasurer: in charge of the county’s funds, collects taxes and pays the bills. 3.Auditor: makes sure the county spends money legally

11. Positions in the County County Clerk: keeps official government records (birth, marriage, and death certificates), conducts elections County Coroner: works closely with police. No special medical training required, called to look into any unnatural death; some replaced by a medical examiner system (trained scientist)