Government of Fresno County, California facts for kids
The Government of Fresno County helps run things in Fresno County. It follows rules from the California Constitution and state laws. This government provides many important services for everyone in the county. These services include things like holding elections, keeping people safe with law enforcement, managing public health, and offering social services. For areas in the county that don't have their own city government, the County government acts as their local government.
The County government is made up of a group of elected leaders. These include the five-member Board of Supervisors and other elected officials like the Sheriff and District Attorney. Many county departments also work under the County Administrator to provide services.
Some cities, like Fresno, have their own services such as police, libraries, and parks. Other cities might ask the County to provide some of these services for them. The Fresno County Superior Court also works within Fresno County, but it's part of the state government, not the county.
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How Fresno County Government Works
The Board of Supervisors
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is like the main governing body for the county. It has five members who are elected by the people. This board makes laws for areas of the county that are not part of a city. They also guide county departments on what to do and how to do it. The Board also makes final decisions on local planning issues.
As of January 2015, the people on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors were:
- Brian Pacheco—District 1
- Andreas Borgeas—District 2
- Henry Perea—District 3
- Buddy Mendes—District 4
- Debbie Poochigian—District 5
Other Elected Officials
Besides the Board of Supervisors, there are other important elected officials in Fresno County. These roles are required by the California Constitution and state law.
The Fresno County Sheriff is in charge of law enforcement for areas of the county that are not part of a city. They act like the police for these areas. Some cities also hire the Sheriff's office to provide police services for them.
The Fresno County District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting crimes that happen in Fresno County. This means they take legal action against people accused of breaking the law.
County Departments and Services
The County government has many departments that provide services to residents.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) helps people in need. They manage programs like Medi-Cal (which helps with health care costs), CalFresh (which helps families buy food), and CalWORKs (which helps families with financial support).
The Department of Public Health (DPH) works to keep everyone in the county healthy. They run programs that help people get medical care, especially those with lower incomes.
Other Governments in Fresno County
California State Courts
The Fresno Superior Court handles legal cases throughout the county. Even though it's in Fresno County, it's actually part of California's state court system, not the county government. The county helps by providing security for the courthouses.
City of Fresno Government
The City of Fresno has its own government. It has a Mayor and seven City Council members. The Mayor oversees 14 city departments, including police, fire, transportation, and parks.
As of January 2013, the Mayor was Ashley Swearengin. The City Council members were:
- Blong Xiong—District 1
- Steve Brandau—District 2
- Oliver Baines III—District 3
- Paul Caprioglio—District 4
- Sal Quintero—District 5
- Lee Brand—District 6
- Clint Olivier—District 7
School Districts
School districts are also important parts of the government that serve Fresno County. These districts manage public schools and colleges. Fresno County includes parts of the State Center Community College District, the West Hills Community College District, and the Merced Community College District.
