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Understanding County Governments: Structure, Functions, and Key Officials

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County governments are among the largest political units in the U.S., with over 3,000 counties across the nation, dating back to the first established in Virginia in 1634. This lesson explores their organization, including county seats, the functions they provide, and the various forms of county governance, such as the strong commission model and the commission-manager system. Key officials like sheriffs and district attorneys play critical roles in law enforcement and legal processes. Understanding these elements gives insight into the essential duties of county governments and how they serve their communities.

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Understanding County Governments: Structure, Functions, and Key Officials

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  1. Chapter 14 Lesson 2 County Governments

  2. How County Governments Are Organized • The county is the normally the state`s largest territorial and political unit. • The US census bureau recognizes more than 3,000 counties or divisions like counties in the nation. • The first county was located in Virginia in 1634. • Massachusetts and Pennsylvania also had counties in colonial times. • Texas has 254 counties. • Delaware and Hawaii each have 3. • In Alaska they are called boroughs and in Louisiana they are called Parishes.

  3. County Seats • During the 1800s the county court house was the center of county government. • Trials took place there and so did Government activities. • The town where the court house is located is called the county seat. • County seats often become a center for the network of county roads.

  4. The Functions of County Government • In some areas, cities now provide many services that counties once did. • Many counties have taken on the duties that city governments once handled. • These duties range from providing sewer and water service to mass transit systems. • Most counties are run by a board of elected officials called commissioners or supervisors. • Typically three to five commissioners serve on a county board. • They usually serve four-year terms. • The board passes laws, budgets, and levies taxes and may enforce laws. • In addition to commissioners or supervisors, other officials play a role in county government.

  5. Forms of County Government • The basic form is the strong commission. • The two other forms are the commission-manager and commission-elected executive types. • In the strong commission form, the county board acts as both legislature and executive authority. • Board members pass laws and also see to carrying out the laws. • They also oversee the work of people they name to particular offices. • The people who serve on county boards have a great variety of backgrounds. • Most board members work part-time, they have to be ready for emergencies though.

  6. Forms of County Government Cont. • In some counties the board operates only as a legislature. • Counties use one of two methods to handle the executive power. • First is the commission-manager form of government. • In this method the commission names someone as county manager. • Second is the commission-elected executive type. • This official, like the board is elected. • The county manager or executive carries out the laws for the county. • He or she manages the county government. • The county board works alongside this leader.

  7. Sheriffs, DAs and More • Sheriffs are elected officials. • They typically serve two to four year terms. • The sheriff is the county`s chief officer for enforcing the law. • The sheriffs department enforces court orders and runs the county jail. • The sheriffs department shares duties with one or more police departments. • Because counties were often the first governments formed by American settlers, sheriffs have played a leading role in local law enforcement. • Other county duties are handled by officials who may be appointed or elected. • Bringing criminals to justice is the role of the district attorney (DA) called the county prosecutor in some counties. • In most counties the DA is elected by voters. • The DA investigates crimes and brings charges against those suspected of breaking the law.

  8. Sheriff, DAs and more • He or she then works to prove in court that the accused person is guilty. • Three county officials handle the county`s finances. • The assessor looks at taxable property within the county. • He or she estimates, or sets rough value on, how much it is worth. • The county treasurer is in charge of the county`s funds. • He or she collects taxes and pays the county`s bills. • An auditor makes sure that the county spends its money according to state and local law. • A county clerk keeps official government records. • They also conduct elections. • The county coroners works closely with the police. • This official is called on to look at any death that might not be natural. • Some counties have replaced the coroner with the medical examiner. • This system uses trained scientists to investigate deaths caused by injury, violence, or unknown sources. • More than 2 Million people work for counties across the country. • The vast numbers indicate the number of tasks that county governments have taken on.

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