Government of Sacramento County, California facts for kids
The Government of Sacramento County helps run things in Sacramento County. It's set up by the laws of California and the county's own rulebook, called the Charter. Many important services in California are actually handled by county governments, like the one in Sacramento. This government provides services for everyone in the county, such as:
- Helping with elections and voter sign-ups
- Keeping the peace with law enforcement
- Running jails
- Keeping important records like birth certificates and property deeds
- Collecting taxes
- Providing public health services
- Offering social services
Also, for areas in the county that aren't part of a city (called "unincorporated areas"), the county government acts as their local government.
The Sacramento County government is made up of a five-person Board of Supervisors who are elected by the people. There are also other elected officials, like the Sheriff, the District Attorney, and the Assessor. Many other county departments and groups work under the County Executive Officer, who helps manage everything.
Some cities in the county, like Sacramento and Folsom, have their own services like police, libraries, and parks. Other cities, such as Rancho Cordova and Isleton, ask the County to provide some or all of these services for them through special agreements. Plus, some parts of the government of California also work within Sacramento County, like the Sacramento County Superior Court.
Contents
How Sacramento County Government Works
The Board of Supervisors
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is like the county's main law-making group. It has five members, and they are all elected. The Board does three main things:
- Makes Laws: They can create rules (called ordinances) for the unincorporated areas of the county. For rules that affect the whole county, like restaurant health ratings, cities also need to agree.
- Manages Departments: They tell the different county departments what to do and how to do it.
- Hears Appeals: If someone disagrees with a local planning decision, the Board is often the final place they can go to appeal.
The people currently on the Board are:
- Phil Serna—District 1
- Patrick Kennedy—District 2
- Susan Peters—District 3, Vice Chair
- Sue Frost—District 4
- Don Nottoli—District 5, Chair
Key Elected Officials
Besides the Board of Supervisors, several other important officials are elected to help run Sacramento County. These roles are required by California's laws and the county's Charter.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department acts as the police force for areas of Sacramento County that are not part of a city. They also provide police services to cities that have agreements with them.
The Sacramento County District Attorney is responsible for bringing legal cases against people accused of serious crimes (felonies) and less serious crimes (misdemeanors) that happen in Sacramento County.
The Sacramento County Assessor figures out how much properties in the county are worth for tax purposes.
The Sacramento County Board of Education has seven elected members who serve four-year terms. This Board oversees the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and chooses the Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, who also acts as their secretary.
Other County Departments
The Board of Supervisors also appoints several key leaders, including the County Executive, who is often called the County Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO is in charge of planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating all county activities. The CEO then appoints many other important officials, such as:
- The Coroner (who investigates deaths)
- The Surveyor (who measures land)
- The County Engineer (who works on public works projects)
- The Tax Collector (who collects taxes)
- The County Clerk (who handles official records)
- The Director of Finance (who manages county money)
- The County Librarian (who oversees libraries)
The Sacramento County Probation Department, led by the Chief Probation Officer, supervises adults and young people who have been given probation in Sacramento County.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides health, social, and mental health services for the county.
The Department of Human Assistance (DHA) helps manage various California welfare programs within Sacramento County. These programs include Medi-Cal (health care help), CalFresh (food assistance), and CalWORKs (cash aid for families).
The Department of Community Development makes sure buildings follow safety rules, investigates problems with housing or zoning in unincorporated areas, and helps plan how land is used in the county.
The Department of Water Resources provides services related to drainage, flood control, and water supply to different areas of unincorporated Sacramento County and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova.
County History
The current rulebook for Sacramento County, called the Charter, was suggested by a special group and approved by voters on February 18, 1933. It officially started on July 1, 1933.
Other Governments in the Area
California State Courts
The Sacramento County Superior Court handles court cases for the entire county. It's not a county department; instead, it's part of California's state court system. In the past, county governments paid for and maintained the courthouses. But in 2008 and 2009, the state government took over ownership of all courthouses so that judges would have more direct control. However, county government still helps provide security for the courthouses through an agreement with the state.
Sacramento City Government
The city government of Sacramento has its own set of rules, called the Charter of the City of Sacramento. Its elected government includes the Sacramento City Council, which has 15 members representing different areas, and the Mayor of Sacramento. The city also has many departments and appointed officials, like the City Manager, the Sacramento Police Department (SPD), and the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD). As of December 11, 2012, Kevin Johnson was the mayor, and the city council members included:
- Angelique Ashby—District 1, Vice Mayor
- Allen Warren—District 2
- Steve Cohn—District 3
- Steve Hansen—District 4
- Jay Schenirer—District 5
- Kevin McCarty—District 6
- Darrell Fong—District 7
- Bonnie Pannell—District 8
School Districts
Most of Sacramento County is served by the Los Rios Community College District, which provides higher education. A small part of the county around Isleton is also covered by the San Joaquin Delta Community College District.
Special Districts
Special districts are local government groups that provide specific services. The Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (SacLAFCo) helps manage these special districts in Sacramento County.
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) is in charge of public transportation, like buses and light rail. Its Board of Directors has eleven members from the city councils of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom, as well as members from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Electricity for the county is provided by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. This district is run by a seven-member Board of Directors, with each member elected by people in a specific area (ward) for four-year terms.
