Role of Counties

The Board of Supervisors is the primary governing body of a county, combining legislative, executive, and quasi-judicial powers. Unlike federal and state governments, the Board is not divided into separate branches.

Under Government Code Section 25000, counties must have a Board of Supervisors with five members, unless specified otherwise in a county charter (e.g., San Francisco has 11 members and a mayor). Supervisors must live in and be registered voters of their districts. Vacancies are filled either by a local charter process or by the Governor if no such process exists.

A majority of Board members is needed to conduct business, and most decisions require a majority vote. Certain actions, like emergency ordinances, need four votes. Official actions can only occur during regular or special public meetings, which are governed by the Ralph M. Brown Act, ensuring transparency. The county clerk serves as the ex officio clerk of the Board unless a separate clerk is appointed.

The Board of Supervisors exercises its authority in three main roles: executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial.

Executive Role

• Sets county priorities and oversees departments and programs.
• Approves annual budgets and supervises the conduct of county officers and employees.
• Manages county property and allocates funding for resident services.

Supervision of County Officials

The Board supervises county officers to ensure they fulfill their duties but cannot modify or relieve them of their legal responsibilities.

For elected officials, such as the district attorney and sheriff:

• District Attorney: Supervisory authority is limited to county duties, as prosecutorial powers fall under the state attorney general.
• Sheriff: The Board supervises county-specific duties but cannot oversee state law enforcement or court-related responsibilities.
• Assessor and Courts: The Board shares funding responsibilities for courts but has limited influence over their operations, as courts maintain independence in judicial functions.

County Litigation

The Board manages litigation involving the county and can hire outside attorneys with a two-thirds vote.

The County Administrator, also known by various titles (e.g., Chief Executive, County Manager, or Chief Administrative Officer), serves as the top staff member in county government. This position manages daily county operations, prepares the annual budget for the Board of Supervisors, and coordinates the work of appointed and elected department heads to ensure efficient county operations.

Budget Oversight

• Prepares, adopts, and administers the county’s annual budget.
• Acts as the county’s chief financial officer, working with the auditor-controller, treasurer, tax collector, and assessor to manage financial operations.

Operational Management

• Manages the county’s day-to-day functions and implements the Board of Supervisors’ policies.
• Coordinates departmental activities to ensure effective and harmonious operations.
• Provides objective analyses and recommendations on issues for the Board of Supervisors.

Personnel Management

• In some counties, the County Administrator is authorized to hire and fire certain department heads; in others, this authority remains with the Board.
• Advises the Board on labor relations and employee benefits and may represent the Board in labor negotiations.

Representation and Coordination

• Represents the county and Board in various activities.
• Resolves conflicts among departments to maintain operational harmony.

The Agricultural Commissioner, appointed under state law, oversees the Agriculture Department and enforces laws and regulations related to environmental and consumer protection. The position promotes and protects agriculture while safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare.

Environmental Protection

• Pest Exclusion: Prevents harmful pests from entering the county by inspecting plant shipments and issuing required movement certificates.
• Pest Detection: Searches for potential threats like plant diseases, insects, or weeds using traps deployed across the county.
• Pest Eradication: Manages programs to eliminate detected pests.
• Pesticide Use Enforcement: Regulates chemical use in pest control to protect the environment, applicators, and public safety.

Consumer Protection

• Ensures nursery stock, produce, and eggs comply with regulatory standards and are properly labeled.
• Issues certification for compliance upon request.

Additional Programs

• Certification: Provides fruit, vegetable, and apiary certifications.
• Land Use and Environmental Health: May oversee weed control, animal damage control, and land use planning.

Weights and Measures

• Ensures fair competition and consumer protection through accurate measurement standards in commerce.

Expanded Roles

In some counties, the Agricultural Commissioner also serves as the air pollution control officer or animal control director, taking on broader responsibilities for environmental and public health.

The Assessor is a constitutionally elected official responsible for setting property values within the county. This includes managing the Assessor’s Office and ensuring compliance with property tax laws. The Assessor oversees all operations related to the creation of the annual assessment roll and manages employees while executing rules and regulations related to property tax.

Property Assessment

• Property Valuation: Assesses all properties annually, including real estate, personal property, business and agricultural properties, boats, aircraft, and trade fixtures. This includes valuing new construction, ownership changes, and agricultural preserves.
• Special Valuations: Handles the valuation of possessory interests, oil and gas wells, mines, quarries, pipeline easements, and water companies.
• Calamity Claims & Proposition 8: Addresses claims for property affected by disasters and recalculates values for properties that decline in value under Proposition 8.

Office Operations

• Mapping and Drafting: Manages all mapping and parcel creation activities, including subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, and surveys.
• Tax Sales & Clearances: Oversees tax clearances, tax sales descriptions, and related tasks.
• Data Processing & Ownership Changes: Processes recorded documents, ownership changes, and generates state-required reports.

Auditing & Compliance

• Audit of Mandatory Accounts: Audits businesses with personal property or trade fixtures valued over $300,000 for four consecutive years.
• Assessment Appeals: Manages hearings for property value disputes and reviews assessments.

Support for Other Agencies

• Provides data for demographic studies, benefit assessments, and resource identification used by other government agencies.

The Auditor-Controller serves as the chief accounting officer of the county and is responsible for overseeing budget control, financial reporting, and audits within county government operations. This independent, nonpartisan position is elected in most counties, but in a few counties, the office may be appointed or combined with other roles such as Treasurer-Tax Collector or County Clerk.

Accounting & Financial Management

• Budget Control & Financial Reporting: Ensures effective control over the county’s budget, manages disbursements and receipts, and prepares the county’s financial statements.
• Accounting Policies & Procedures: Establishes accounting policies for the county and may also oversee accounting functions for special districts within the county.
• Revenue & Expense Management: Records revenue receipts, issues payments (warrants), manages payroll, and tracks assets and liabilities, including fixed assets, accounts payable/receivable, and long-term debt.

Auditing Functions

• Mandatory Audits: Ensures the performance of required audits, either by internal staff or external certified public accountants. Audits may include county treasury, courts, probation, child development, tax collection, retirement funds, food stamps, and joint power agencies.
• Non-Mandated Audits: In some counties, the Board of Supervisors or audit committees sets the annual schedule for audits of non-mandated agencies.
• Audit Oversight: Works with audit staff or external auditors to conduct audits, ensuring financial integrity across the county’s operations.

Property Taxation Administration

Tax Roll & Tax Rates: Controls the tax roll, calculates property taxes and general obligation bond rates, and manages property tax receipts.

Revenue Allocation & Reconciliation: Allocates property tax revenues to appropriate taxing agencies and reconciles accounts with the tax collector to ensure accuracy.

The County Clerk is a nonpartisan, countywide elected official, typically serving a four-year term, except in some larger counties where the position may be appointed. The duties and responsibilities of the County Clerk vary across California’s 58 counties, with some counties consolidating this office with others such as the tax collector-treasurer, auditor, assessor, or public guardian. Depending on the county, the County Clerk may also assume the role of Registrar of Voters, Recorder, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and/or Clerk of the Superior or Municipal Court.

Public Services

• Marriage Licenses & Civil Marriages: Issues marriage licenses, registers confidential marriages, and performs civil marriage ceremonies.
• Miscellaneous Public Documents: Files and maintains a variety of documents such as fictitious business name statements, notary public oaths and bonds, passport applications, and grand jury reports.
• Process Servers & Oaths: Registers process servers and administers oaths of office.

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

• Board Support: Provides administrative support to the Board of Supervisors, including preparing and monitoring the Board’s budget, attending meetings, taking minutes, and processing records and agendas.
• Secretarial & Clerical Support: Ensures efficient and effective support for Board members and associated agencies.

Clerk to the Superior or Municipal Court

• Court Document Management: Oversees processing and maintenance of all court documents and files, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Court Session Support: Attends court sessions, takes minutes, and supervises clerical staff.
• Fee Collection & Compliance: Collects fees and forfeitures on behalf of the court.

Recorder

• Land Transactions: Files and maintains official records for land transactions, including sales, liens, purchases, and easements.
• Vital Statistics: Maintains records of births, deaths, and regular marriages.
• Official County Documents: Oversees the filing and maintenance of various public documents and maintains a comprehensive county archive.

Registrar of Voters

• Voter Registration: Manages voter registration, maintains voter files, and verifies petitions.
• Elections Administration: Conducts federal, state, county, school, and special district elections, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws. Additionally, some cities contract with the County Clerk to conduct their elections.
• Campaign Filings: Manages the filing of campaign statements for county elections.

The County Clerk plays a key role in both administrative and electoral functions within the county, ensuring that vital services and records are properly maintained and accessible to the public.

The County Counsel serves as the chief civil law officer of the county, providing legal services to the Board of Supervisors, county and court officials, and other local agencies and districts. This statutory officer is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and serves a four-year term in general law counties, with some charter counties offering indefinite tenure.

Legal Services & Advice

• Legal Opinions & Advice: Provides legal opinions and advice to county officials and agencies, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Document Preparation: Prepares contracts, ordinances, and resolutions, ensuring that legal requirements are met.
• Board of Supervisors Support: Acts as the legal advisor to the Board, attending both public and closed meetings to provide counsel on various matters.

Litigation & Representation

• Defending & Prosecuting Actions: Defends or prosecutes civil actions and proceedings involving the county or its officers. In some counties, private attorneys are hired under the County Counsel’s supervision to handle certain litigation.
• Probate & Family Law: Represents the county in probate, conservatorship, guardianship, and juvenile cases, providing legal counsel as needed.
• Grand Jury Support: Provides legal advice to the grand jury on civil matters.

Civil Litigation Management

• Supervising Civil Litigation: In some counties, the County Counsel oversees most of the county’s civil litigation, ensuring that all legal actions align with the county’s interests.
• Specialized Litigation Support: Participates in subcommittees focused on legal issues affecting counties, providing case-specific guidance when needed.

County Counsels’ Association of California (CCAC) Support

• Litigation Coordination Program: Administers a program designed to help counties coordinate the defense of multi-county litigation, monitor statewide litigation, and provide amicus curiae (friend of the court) support.
• Cost Savings & Legal Updates: Works to reduce duplication of effort across counties, strengthen county responses to litigation, and communicate updates on public law cases through alerts and legal updates.
• Educational & Professional Standards: The County Counsels’ Association provides continuing legal education and fosters the highest ethical standards for legal professionals working in local government agencies.

The County Counsel plays a crucial role in safeguarding the county’s legal interests, ensuring compliance with laws, and overseeing civil litigation involving the county and its officers.

The District Attorney (DA) is a constitutionally elected county official responsible for prosecuting criminal violations of state law and county ordinances within the county under California Government Code Section 26500. The DA oversees criminal investigations, apprehension, and prosecution in court, and serves as the legal advisor to the Grand Jury. The District Attorney’s Office also enforces parental financial obligations through its family support division. The Board of Supervisors exercises budgetary control over the office, but does not have operational control over the DA.

Criminal Prosecution

• Municipal Court Operations: Prosecutes all misdemeanors and handles preliminary felony hearings in Municipal Courts, ensuring justice is served for criminal offenses.
• Superior Court Operations: Presents felony cases in Superior Court, including legal motions, writs, appeals, extraditions, and Grand Jury matters, ensuring thorough legal proceedings for serious offenses.

Family Support & Welfare Enforcement

• Family Support Prosecution: Provides civil and criminal prosecution of family support violations, welfare fraud, and child abduction. The family support division enforces parental financial obligations, adhering to state and federal regulations.
• Financial Incentives: Counties often receive financial incentives for aggressively enforcing child support, with expenses largely reimbursed through state and federal funding.

Investigation & Trial Preparation

• Investigation of Criminal Acts: Leads initial investigations and supports trial preparation by collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, ensuring a strong case is built for prosecution.

Administrative Services

• Operational Support: Manages essential functions such as budget preparation, purchasing, space planning, personnel services, payroll, clerical support, and data services to maintain the efficient operation of the District Attorney’s Office.

In counties where civil (non-prosecutorial) functions are necessary, these are typically handled by the County Counsel. The District Attorney plays a pivotal role in ensuring criminal justice is served, enforcing family support obligations, and managing key administrative functions to support the office’s mission.

Environmental Health departments in California counties play a critical role in protecting public health, safety, and well-being, as well as preserving and improving environmental quality. These departments operate under the legal authority granted by the California Health and Safety Code, California Code of Regulations (Title 17 and Title 22), and local ordinances. Of the 58 California counties, 51 have Environmental Health Departments or divisions, with a significant portion integrated into County Health Agencies, and a few cities like Berkeley, Long Beach, Pasadena, and Vernon operating their own comprehensive Environmental Health Departments.

Core Programs and Services

Local Environmental Health Departments are responsible for administering a wide range of programs that focus on ensuring public safety and environmental protection. The primary programs within Environmental Health Departments include:

• Food Sanitation and Consumer Protection: Oversees retail and consumer protection programs, ensuring compliance with the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law. It also includes inspections for water vending machines, milk product plans, and food facility plan checks.
• Housing and Institutions: Monitors and inspects employee housing, substandard housing conditions, motels/hotels, detention facilities, organized camps, and mobile home parks to ensure they meet health and safety standards.
• Recreational Health: Focuses on the safety of lakes, streams, beaches, public swimming pools, and spas, including inspections and plan checks for pool construction and maintenance.
• Water Quality: Regulates small water systems, private well construction, and cross-connection controls to safeguard the quality of drinking water.
• Land Use: Manages land use issues related to environmental health, ensuring that development and land management practices are safe for public health.
• Solid Waste: Enforces regulations for solid waste management and disposal, ensuring environmental safety through proper waste handling and recycling.
• Liquid Waste: Manages the regulation of on-site sewage systems and graywater disposal, ensuring that waste treatment and disposal methods comply with health standards.
• Hazardous Materials-Waste: Enforces Proposition 65 reporting requirements, business plans for hazardous materials storage, hazardous waste management plans, and emergency response measures related to hazardous materials.
• Household Hazardous Waste: Provides services for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste.
• Medical Waste: Regulates the disposal and handling of medical waste to prevent public health risks.
• Underground Storage Tanks: Oversees the installation, maintenance, and regulation of underground storage tanks to prevent contamination of the environment.
• Groundwater and Soil Clean-up: Manages the cleanup of contaminated groundwater and soil, overseeing environmental remediation projects to restore public health and safety.

Support and Collaboration

Environmental Health departments are supported by the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH), an affiliate of CSAC. This organization works to promote the interests of local environmental health programs and provides resources, advocacy, and collaboration opportunities to ensure the effective delivery of environmental health services across the state.

California’s county health systems have been providing essential health care services for nearly 150 years. With the exception of the city-operated health departments in Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena, county health departments serve the health needs of all residents within the county, regardless of whether they live in the unincorporated areas or within city limits. The organizational structure and specific health services offered by county health agencies can vary, but typically, these departments are managed by an Administrative Director appointed by the County Administrative Officer (CAO) and/or the Board of Supervisors, with the Board also appointing a Public Health Officer, a physician responsible for public health issues.

Core Health Programs and Services

County health services encompass a wide variety of programs designed to address the medical and public health needs of residents. The following are the key areas of responsibility:

• Alcohol and Drug Services: Ensures the availability of substance abuse treatment services through both public and private providers, offering services such as inpatient and outpatient care, residential recovery, detoxification, prevention, early intervention, and education.
• Detention Facility Health Services: Provides medical, dental, psychiatric, and substance abuse care to incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities, including both adult and juvenile populations.
• Environmental Health Services: Oversees public health safety related to land development (e.g., well water permits, septic permits, land use permits) and consumer protection (e.g., food facility inspections, public pool safety, solid waste management). Additionally, it includes hazardous materials regulation, including underground storage tanks, medical waste management, Proposition 65 reporting, and incident response for chemical spills.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS): If designated as the local EMS agency, this program is responsible for ambulance permits, emergency medical technician certifications, emergency medical dispatch approvals, and disaster planning and coordination.
• County Hospitals: County-owned hospitals, which serve as safety-net providers for individuals seeking medical care, including medical, surgical, trauma, emergency, and specialty services. These hospitals also function as teaching hospitals, often affiliated with university medical schools. While some counties operate hospitals, others may rely on contracts with medical providers.
• Indigent Medical Care: Ensures that indigent individuals, including Medically Indigent Adults (MIA), receive the medical care they need through county hospitals, primary care clinics, or contracts with medical service providers.
• Mental Health Services: Offers a broad range of psychiatric services either directly or via contracted providers, including inpatient care for those in crisis, outpatient care, long-term care in state institutions, local crisis services, day treatment, and conditional release programs for individuals incarcerated due to mental illness. Managed care is provided for hospitalized individuals in many counties.
• Public Health Services: Focuses on disease prevention, early intervention, health education, and treatment. Programs often include adult health screenings, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, communicable disease control, immunizations, family planning, child health services, tuberculosis control, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutritional support, and vital statistics registration. Public health labs conduct tests for water quality, foodborne diseases, rabies, and other public health concerns.

Information Technology (IT) services are integral to county government operations, enabling the delivery of a wide range of public services through efficient management of technology systems. Approximately 43 of California’s 58 counties have an appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Director of Technology Services. This position plays a key role as the chief technology executive within the county’s organizational structure and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of technology use in the county.

The CIO or Director of Technology Services typically manages:

• Computer Operations: Responsible for the day-to-day management of computer systems used across county departments and services, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently.
• Internet and Intranet Services: Oversees the county’s network infrastructure, including public-facing websites and internal systems that facilitate communication and data sharing among county departments.
• Telecommunications Facilities: Manages telecommunication systems, including phone systems, video conferencing, and other communication technologies that enable connectivity between county officials, employees, and the public.
• Automated Systems Integration: Ensures that various county data systems (e.g., financial, health, and public safety systems) are integrated, allowing for seamless sharing of data and functionality across multiple platforms and departments.
• Strategic Technology Planning: Leads the county’s strategic direction on the use of technology, ensuring that IT investments align with overall county goals, enhance service delivery, and improve operational efficiency.

The role may also involve direct collaboration with other governmental agencies and technology vendors to ensure the county’s IT systems are up-to-date and secure.

Collaboration and Support

• California County Information Services Directors Association (CCISDA): CCISDA represents the IT departments of all California counties and provides valuable technology consulting services. This organization works with both state and federal agencies to develop long-term technology integration plans, ensuring that county governments remain at the forefront of technological innovation and compliance with regulatory standards.

The Personnel Department in California counties plays a critical role in managing human resources functions, ensuring that employment-related services and programs are administered in compliance with state and federal laws. The Personnel Department is typically headed by a Director, who is appointed by the Board of Supervisors or the County Administrative Officer (CAO), and is supported by an administrative and support staff. The department may also operate under a locally developed merit system or have delegated duties to line departments depending on the county’s structure.

The Personnel Department is responsible for a wide range of human resource functions, including:

• Position Classification: The department maintains a classification plan for all county positions, ensuring job titles, duties, relationships, and employment criteria are current. This plan helps guide decisions related to recruitment, testing, budget planning, career development, and labor negotiations.
• Testing, Recruitment, and Certification: The Personnel Department develops and administers job-related examinations to identify qualified candidates for county positions. The department also leads recruitment efforts to attract a diverse pool of applicants while meeting the county’s affirmative action requirements. Eligible candidates are certified to fill vacancies according to the county’s personnel rules.
• Employee Records: A central system is maintained to store personnel files, including documents related to employment history, status changes, performance evaluations, training, and payroll information.
• Affirmative Action: The department develops and updates the county’s affirmative action plan, ensuring compliance with employment laws and promoting workforce diversity.
• Employee Due Process: The Personnel Department manages processes for employee counseling, training, and formal grievance procedures, ensuring employees have avenues for addressing concerns and disputes.
• Salary Plan: The department oversees the salary plan, which outlines salary ranges and procedures for salary progression based on market surveys, collective bargaining outcomes, or other salary indicators.
• Employee Relations: The department manages employee relations by developing units of employee representation in line with county policies. Staff also represent the Board of Supervisors in collective bargaining and consultation sessions with represented and unrepresented employees.
• Training: The Personnel Department may conduct a countywide training program focused on new employee orientation, supervisory training, career development, and affirmative action-related training.
• Risk Management: Some or all risk management functions may fall under the Personnel Department, including administering health and welfare benefits, managing safety programs, overseeing Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, State Disability Insurance, and handling liability issues.

In California, each county is required by state Planning and Zoning Law to establish a Planning Agency to perform essential planning functions. This agency may be structured in various ways, including being housed within a department, operating through planning commissions, or using hearing officers, administrative bodies, or the legislative body itself. Regardless of its structure, the Planning Agency plays a pivotal role in managing land use, growth, and development within the county. 

The Planning Department within the county is tasked with a broad range of critical duties that help guide the physical, economic, and environmental development of the area:

• General Plan Preparation and Review: The Planning Agency is responsible for preparing, periodically reviewing, and revising the county’s general plan. This plan serves as the blueprint for land use, growth, and community development. The agency ensures that the general plan is implemented through zoning and subdivision ordinances, specific plans, and annual reviews of capital improvement programs to ensure consistency with the overall vision.
• Public Coordination and Consultation: One of the key roles of the Planning Department is to promote public coordination of the general plan with other public agencies, utilities, civic groups, and citizens. This includes consulting with and advising various stakeholders—such as public officials, educational and professional organizations, and community members—on how to effectively implement the plan.
• Development Review: The Planning Department reviews applications for proposed developments within the county. Staff provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on whether a proposed project aligns with the general plan or if amendments are necessary. They also analyze potential implications for infrastructure, community services, and the environment.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): As part of the development review process, the Planning Department ensures that all proposed developments comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This law mandates that the environmental impacts of proposed projects be disclosed, understood, and mitigated before the county can approve them. The department conducts studies and prepares environmental impact reports (EIRs) as needed.
• Planning Commissions: Each county typically has a Planning Commission consisting of five members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. These commissions advise the Board on important land use decisions and provide recommendations based on their review of planning proposals. However, the Board retains the ultimate authority on all land use decisions.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: In some counties, the Planning Agency also handles other governmental functions, such as public works, building departments, redevelopment agencies, code enforcement, and economic development. This interdisciplinary approach helps ensure that planning efforts are aligned with broader county objectives, such as infrastructure development, transportation planning, and environmental sustainability.

Each of California’s 58 counties, including separate probation departments for adults and juveniles in San Francisco, has a Probation Department that plays a central role in the county’s criminal justice system. It operates alongside other key components, such as the sheriff’s department, district attorney’s office, public defender’s office, and the courts. The Probation Department is mandated by the Welfare and Institutions Code and the Penal Code, and it is responsible for managing and overseeing individuals on probation, including adults, juveniles, pretrial detainees, and sentenced persons. 

Administration and Staff 

The Probation Department is typically administered by a Chief Probation Officer, who is appointed by either the Board of Supervisors or the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, depending on the county’s charter. The department’s primary staff includes probation officers and institutional counselors, all of whom are sworn peace officers (Penal Code Section 830.5). They have the authority to arrest, search, and seize. To ensure they are prepared for their duties, probation officers must complete 200 hours of comprehensive training before assuming their roles, followed by 40 hours of annual training, certified and funded by the Standards and Training for Corrections Program of the State Board of Corrections. 

The Probation Department’s core functions include: 

• Investigating Offender Backgrounds: Probation officers conduct thorough investigations into the backgrounds of offenders to assess risk factors and other relevant information for sentencing and supervision.
• Sentencing Recommendations: The department provides the court with detailed recommendations for sentencing based on the offender’s history, behavior, and rehabilitation potential.
  Enforcing Court Orders: Once court orders are issued, the Probation Department ensures compliance by monitoring offenders and enforcing the conditions set by the court.
• Supervising Sentenced Offenders: The department is responsible for supervising individuals who have been sentenced to probation, ensuring they meet the conditions set forth by the court, and providing guidance and support.
• Providing Corrections and Prevention Programs: Probation departments also run or refer offenders to various programs aimed at rehabilitation and preventing reoffending. These may include substance abuse treatment, anger management, or life skills training.
• Managing Juvenile and Adult Custody Facilities: In some counties, the Probation Department operates custody facilities for juvenile offenders and, in certain cases, for adult offenders who are detained or sentenced. This responsibility may involve overseeing the detention of individuals awaiting trial or those who have been adjudicated.
• Restitution and Community Service: The department helps collect restitution from offenders to compensate victims and oversees the completion of community service requirements as part of probation.
  Criminal Diversion Programs: In addition to standard probation functions, the department may also manage and oversee criminal diversion programs, offering alternatives to traditional prosecution for eligible offenders. 

The Public Defender’s Office is tasked with providing legal defense to individuals who cannot afford private counsel and are charged with offenses or contempt that are triable in superior or municipal courts. The office ensures that all eligible individuals receive legal representation throughout the court proceedings, upholding the right to fair trial and due process. The Public Defender is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and leads the office with the support of deputy counsels and other staff members.

The Public Defender’s office carries out several important functions to ensure individuals who cannot afford legal counsel receive the representation they are entitled to: 

• Formulating Departmental Policy: The Public Defender establishes the office’s policies and directs their execution, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in providing defense services.
• Representation in Criminal Cases: The office is responsible for the defense of individuals who cannot afford to hire counsel in felony trials in superior court, misdemeanor trials, and preliminary hearings in municipal courts. This also includes minors whose parents or guardians cannot afford to hire counsel for juvenile court proceedings, and individuals involved in psychiatric court proceedings that could lead to detention or incarceration.
• Assisting with Reimbursement: The Public Defender’s office works to help the courts recover costs for legal defense from defendants or, in the case of minors, their parents or guardians, through a reimbursement process for the cost of counsel.
• Civil Litigation Defense: If it is determined that a person is being persecuted or unjustly harassed, the Public Defender may direct the defense of individuals in civil litigation cases where they cannot afford counsel.
• Field Investigations: The Public Defender’s office directs investigations to locate witnesses and gather critical information to support the defense, ensuring that the legal staff is equipped with the necessary evidence to represent their clients effectively.
• Appeals: If there is a reasonable expectation that an appeal could lead to a reversal or modification of the original judgment, the Public Defender’s office directs the appeal process to ensure that justice is pursued when warranted. 

The Public Guardian-Conservator-Administrator is responsible for providing mandated conservatorship and estate administration services as outlined by the Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code. The role may be executed through a separate department, an elected official, or be incorporated into a larger county department, such as health or human services. In some counties, the Public Guardian, Public Conservator, and Public Administrator may operate as distinct entities, but their functions can also be consolidated within a single department. 

The Public Guardian-Conservator-Administrator has several key functions: 

• Conservatorship Services: The Public Guardian serves as conservator for individuals requiring protective intervention. Conservatorships can be established under two legal frameworks:
  • Probate Conservatorship: For individuals who require assistance with their financial and personal affairs due to disability or incapacity. The Public Guardian, in this case, manages the individual’s finances, housing, medical care, and other personal matters. Referrals for probate conservatorship typically come from community agencies, institutions, or physicians.
  • Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Conservatorship: A conservatorship for individuals with mental health issues, where the Public Conservator manages mental health treatment and placements. LPS conservatorships are initiated by psychiatrists affiliated with Short-Doyle hospitals.
• Estate Administration: The Public Administrator is responsible for administering the estate of county residents who die without a will or family. This includes:
  • Asset Management: Marshaling the deceased’s assets, selling real or personal property, and overseeing heir searches.
    Estate Distribution: Ensuring proper distribution of the estate according to the law under the supervision of the superior court.
    Indigent Burial: Managing the county’s indigent burial program for individuals who pass away without family or resources for burial. 

The Public Works Department is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the county’s infrastructure, including public roads, transportation systems, bridges, water, wastewater, drainage systems, and solid waste disposal. The department is led by the Director of Public Works, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and is supported by necessary administrative and operational staff. The scope of responsibilities may vary across counties, with the department playing a central role in ensuring that essential infrastructure is functional, safe, and efficiently maintained.

The Public Works Department is involved in a wide range of activities, which include, but are not limited to: 

• Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations: The department is responsible for the upkeep of critical infrastructure, including:
  • Underground Facilities: Maintaining sewer systems, domestic water systems, and storm drainage pipelines.
  • Roadways and Bridges: Overseeing the maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, and other related structures to ensure safe and efficient transportation.
  • Flood Control: Managing flood control districts, including levees, channels, and related systems.
• Transportation Planning and Services: The department may play a role in developing and implementing a countywide transportation program. This could include:
  • Public Transit: Coordinating bus and passenger rail services for county residents.
  • Transportation Networks: Ensuring the efficiency and accessibility of transportation infrastructure.
• Special Districts and Services: The department administers and maintains special districts that provide essential services such as:
  • Water and Wastewater: Managing water systems and sanitary sewer services to meet the needs of county residents.
  • Street Lighting and Stormwater: Ensuring proper street lighting and maintaining systems for stormwater management.
• Real Property Management: The Public Works Department is involved in acquiring and disposing of real property necessary for the construction and improvement of county infrastructure.
• Solid Waste Management: In some counties, the department oversees solid waste programs, including collection, licensing, and planning. This is critical for maintaining sanitary conditions and supporting environmental sustainability.
• Surveying and Mapping: The county surveyor’s office, often housed within the Public Works Department, is responsible for processing official maps and assisting in property assessments related to public works projects.
• Private Development Review: The department reviews private development projects to ensure they meet the county’s infrastructure and zoning requirements. Additionally, it may prepare master plans for future public works improvements. 

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office serves as a critical component of county law enforcement and public safety. It is responsible for maintaining peace, overseeing county jails, handling coroner duties in certain counties, and providing court services. The Sheriff, as an elected official, is tasked with law enforcement, while in counties where the Sheriff assumes both roles, the Coroner’s duties involve investigating deaths under specific circumstances.

In California, all 58 counties have a Sheriff’s Department, with 48 of those counties having the Sheriff double as the Coroner. The office of the Sheriff may also be supported by a Marshal’s Office in some counties, providing additional court services.

The Sheriff’s Department typically engages in six key functional operations:

• Patrol: The Patrol Division is responsible for maintaining public safety through:
  • Patrol Cars, Boats, and Aircraft: Responding to calls for service, conducting investigations, and preventing crimes.
  • Crime Prevention and Investigation: Detecting and investigating crimes, making arrests, and maintaining a visible presence in the community.
• Detention: The Detention Division operates county jails and work camps, including:
  • Inmate Booking and Release: Managing the intake, processing, and release of inmates under appropriate conditions.
• Civil: This division serves legal documents, including:
  • Civil Papers: Delivering summons, subpoenas, complaints, and court orders.
• Court Services: This division is involved in supporting court operations, including:
  • Inmate Transportation: Transporting inmates to and from court.
  • Bailiff Duties: Ensuring the security and smooth operation of courtrooms.
  • Courtroom Security: Protecting judges, staff, and the public within the courthouse.
• Records: The Records Division maintains and manages vital law enforcement data, such as:
  • Criminal Records: Keeping records of criminal activity, warrants, and criminal histories.
• Coroner: In counties where the Sheriff assumes Coroner duties, the Sheriff’s Department also conducts the following functions:
  • Medical: Performing autopsies and determining cause of death for cases under the Coroner’s jurisdiction.
  • Administrative: Managing records, responding to inquiries, and securing valuables from the deceased.
  • Investigative: Conducting investigations into the cause of death and identifying deceased individuals, including holding inquests when necessary.

The Marshal’s Office (where applicable) provides additional court services:

• Inmate Transportation: Moving inmates to and from court facilities.
• Bailiff Duties: Serving as courtroom officers, ensuring security during proceedings.
• Courthouse Security: Maintaining safety and order within the courthouse.

The Social Services Agency-Welfare Department is a critical arm of county government, responsible for providing a range of assistance and support services to residents in need. These services include financial assistance, medical and food support, protection for children and vulnerable adults, and employment programs that help individuals access education, job training, and placement services. The agency administers these programs on behalf of federal, state, and local governments. While services vary by county, the Social Services Agency is generally guided by a director, appointed by the County Administrative Officer or the Board of Supervisors, along with specialized staff. 

Recent federal legislation, such as HR 3734 “The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996,” has reshaped the delivery of welfare services by focusing on welfare-to-work programs instead of traditional cash grants. This shift is evident in the creation of “Transitional Assistance for Needy Families” (TANF), replacing the previous “Aid to Families with Dependent Children” (AFDC) program. As legislation continues to evolve, counties are adapting their welfare services to meet new standards and objectives. 

The Social Services Agency-Welfare Department is typically organized into six major divisions: 

• Income Maintenance: This division provides financial assistance and access to vital benefits, including:
  • AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children): Financial support for families with children in need.
  • Food Stamps: Assistance for low-income individuals and families to purchase food.
  • Medi-Cal: Health care services for eligible low-income individuals.
  • General Assistance: County-funded programs that offer additional support to individuals who are not eligible for other assistance programs.
• Family and Children’s Services: This division addresses the safety and well-being of children and families, including:
  • Child Protection: Investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.
  • Foster Care and Adoption: Providing temporary care for children in unsafe environments and working to find permanent families through adoption.
  • Family Preservation: Offering services to strengthen and preserve families whenever possible.
• Aging and Adult Services: Focuses on protecting elderly and dependent adults while supporting their independence, including:
  • Adult Protection: Investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or dependent adults.
  • In-home Services: Coordinating services to help adults live independently in their homes.
  • Senior Nutrition Programs: Administering congregate and home-delivered meal services for seniors.
  • Veterans’ Benefits: Helping veterans and their families access state and federal benefits.
• Employment and Training: This division runs several job training and vocational programs aimed at improving the economic self-sufficiency of disadvantaged individuals, including:
  • Greater Avenues to Independence (GAIN): Job training and education programs for AFDC recipients.
  • Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA): Programs designed for displaced workers, disadvantaged adults, youth, and elders.
  • Targeted Assistance Program (JTAP): Employment services for refugees.
• Public Administrator-Public Guardian: This division provides financial and personal management services for individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental incapacity, including:
  • Estate Administration: Managing the estates of individuals who die without a will.
  • Asset Protection: Safeguarding the personal assets of clients from exploitation.
• Financial Management and Administration: This division oversees the financial operations of the agency, including:
  • Budgeting and Fiscal Management: Developing and monitoring the agency’s budget and ensuring efficient use of resources.
  • Support Services: Administering the fiscal activities and providing necessary administrative support for the agency’s programs. 

The combined offices of the Treasurer and Tax Collector are present in all 58 counties in California, with a few exceptions (Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Santa Clara). In most counties, the Treasurer-Tax Collector is a nonpartisan, countywide elected official, serving a four-year term. These offices perform critical financial functions for the county, schools, and special districts, managing funds, property tax revenues, and county debt obligations. 

• Tax Collector: The Tax Collector’s primary responsibility is the administration of property tax collection within the county. This involves:
  • Billing and Collection: Managing the billing, collection, and reporting of property taxes levied annually on real property within the county. These taxes benefit not only the county but also cities, schools, and special districts.
  • Tax Defaulted Property Sales: When real property tax delinquencies persist for five years, the Tax Collector oversees the sale of tax-defaulted properties.
  • Statutory Compliance: The Tax Collector operates under the provisions of the State Constitution and statutes, especially those codified in the Revenue and Taxation Code.
• Treasurer: The Treasurer’s primary duty is to manage the financial assets of the county, schools, and special districts. Key responsibilities include:
  • Fund Management: Serving as the depository for all funds belonging to the county and its affiliated entities. The Treasurer manages the receipt, deposit, and investment of these funds, which may include taxes, fees, grants, and bond proceeds.
  • Investment: The Treasurer manages investments for over $70 billion in county funds, ensuring their growth and security while complying with applicable regulations under the Government Code.
  • County Debt Issuance: The Treasurer is responsible for issuing county debt obligations that fund various county projects and financing needs. These may include bonds for construction or capital improvement projects.
  • Retirement Board Participation: As an ex-officio member of the retirement boards for the 20 counties participating in the 1937 County Retirement Act, the Treasurer plays a role in the management of county retirement systems. 

Additional Services 

The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office offers several services to both the public and other county departments, including: 

• Research: Providing assistance with property tax-related questions, helping individuals understand their property tax obligations or resolve issues related to assessments.
• Investment and Cash Flow Information: The Treasurer provides detailed investment reports and cash flow management for the county.
• Financing Options: Assisting in the development of financing strategies for county projects, including capital improvements and infrastructure development.
• General Banking Services: Offering general banking services to county departments and affiliated agencies, ensuring efficient financial operations across county services. 

Many county Boards of Supervisors also establish debt advisory or finance subcommittees, where the Treasurer-Tax Collector often participates, offering expertise on financial matters and advising on debt issuance and management. 

The Weights and Measures Department is overseen by the Director (Sealer) of Weights and Measures, who is appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Director is responsible for ensuring the proper administration and enforcement of laws and regulations related to weighing and measuring devices, quantity control, and petroleum inspections. The primary goal of the department is to safeguard fair competition and protect consumers by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of commercial measurements. 

• Device Inspections: The Director (Sealer) ensures that weighing and measuring devices used in commercial transactions are accurate. This includes retail scales, gas pumps, and other measuring equipment that impacts pricing. Regular testing (typically yearly) is conducted to ensure that these devices meet established standards, thus ensuring fairness in commercial exchanges. This protects both buyers and sellers by guaranteeing the accuracy of weights and measures.
• Quantity Control Program: The department also oversees quantity control, which focuses on the accurate reproduction of quantity standards in commercial transactions. This ensures that consumers are receiving the correct amount of product for the price they are paying. The program includes inspections to verify commodity quantities, check price calculations, and confirm the correctness of advertised prices. Additionally, it ensures that packaged goods are properly labeled, including information about identity, quantity, and the responsible party for the product.
• Weighmaster Inspections: Weighmaster inspections are conducted to protect individuals involved in transactions based on weight, where written documentation of quantity is required. This program primarily affects businesses that use large-capacity scales, such as moving companies or construction materials suppliers (e.g., rock, sand, and gravel). The department ensures that these businesses provide accurate weight measurements for financial transactions.
• Petroleum Inspections: The Weights and Measures Department is also responsible for ensuring that petroleum products, including fuel, meet state safety and performance standards. This inspection program ensures that gasoline and other petroleum-based products are safe, pure, and perform as advertised. Some counties maintain their own laboratories for testing petroleum products, while others submit samples to the state for analysis, including checks on brand, purity, and octane levels.