COUNTIES RESEMBLE EACH OTHER IN SOME WAYS - A county is a political subdivision that exists in every state except Connecticut and Rhode Island. I. The County Board A. This is the governing body of a county. 1. County Commissioner - This is the member of a county board that has five or less members. 2. County Supervisor - This is the member of a county board that has twenty or more members. a.    They are in charge of maintaining county roads, building codes, oversee elections

B. County Row Officers 1. County Clerk - This is the county official responsible for keeping the county records. 2. Recorder of Deeds - This is the person responsible for property records. 3. Coroner - This person investigates unusual, sudden, or suspicious deaths. a.  Inquest - This is the actual investigation done by the coroner. II. Four Functions of the County A. They are a record keeping agency B. They can exercise a number of police powers. C. They play important roles in the elections. D. They provide a wide range of services. 1. Construct and maintain public works, and parks etc.

E. County Seat - This is the administrative center of a county. III. How can the county government be improved? A. It is very expensive to operate when you think about the number of officials for the number of people in the county. B. One suggestion is to consolidate counties. C. County Manager Plan - This plan is where the county board sets policy and a professional county manager carries it out.