County Government

A quick review All of Michigan is divided into counties. There are 83. Counties have a dual role As agents of state government As local units of government

The three-branch model In the U.S. we expect to see three distinct branches of government operating under a constitution The legislative Makes laws, sets policies The executive Carries them out The judicial Interprets them

Counties don’t fit Only Wayne County has its own charter, or “constitution.” The rest are governed by law scattered among state statutes and court decisions.

Counties don’t fit County board as legislature Very limited power to pass ordinances Does have some legislative powers -- over budget, for example. Carries out some functions that are more administrative than legislative. Some boards appoint a “finance” or “ways and means” committee to administer day-to-day operations.

Counties don’t fit Most don’t have a chief executive officer. For those that do, the executive’s power is limited. County controller -- duties set by statute Establishes accounting system Oversees purchasing Oversees condition of county buildings County administrator/coordinator Duties set by county board -- vary widely from county to county

Counties don’t fit County executives vs city managers City managers generally supervise “line” functions as well as “staff” functions Line functions provide services to the public Staff functions provide internal services County executives generally supervise only staff functions. Line functions supervised by elected officials like county clerk, sheriff

Counties don’t fit “County courts” in Michigan are actually part of the state court system. County role limited Appropriates funds for the courts Provides space for courtrooms and judicial offices.

Counties as state agents Extend state powers throughout the state Prosecutors enforce state criminal laws Registers of deeds maintain land records Clerks administer elections State health and mental health services are provided through counties State drain code is administered through counties.

Counties as local government Carry out programs primarily benefiting local population Isabella, for example Animal Control Central Dispatch Commission on Aging Parks and Recreation Recycling

Board of Commissioners Partisan -- Republicans and Democrats Elections every even-numbered year Elected from single-member districts Approves the budget Hires administrator or controller Etc.

Other elected officials Treasurer Clerk Sheriff Prosecutor Register of Deeds

Treasurer Keeps the county’s money Must be able to report Where it came from To whom they paid it out Where the money is that is still under their control. Also involved in investment, property tax administration, handling delinquent taxes, host of other duties

Clerk Maintains county records Maintains circuit court records Serves as secretary to the county board Supervises elections Etc.

Sheriff Chief public safety officer -- road patrol Jail administrator Department supervisor Manages personnel Secures financial resources etc. Officer of the court Maintains court order Serves summonses, executes orders, etc.

Prosecutor Chief law enforcement officer Screens and approves criminal charges Represents the people in court Range of other law enforcement duties Attorney to the board and county officers But many counties release prosecutor from those duties, hire an attorney or contract the work out.

Register of deeds Keeps official records of all real property in the county. Property deeds Mortgages Liens Etc.

Who’s in charge here? The answer depends on which department or function you are talking about. It could be County board Sheriff Clerk Controller Administrator Or etc.

Questions?