In Washington, the Board of County Commissioners is required by state law to adopt a budget every year, twice a year, or biennially. The budget determines what the county will spend its funds on. Moreover, by law, the county can only do the work that was authorized in the budget. Consequently, the commissioners cannot refuse to pay for certain work. Consequently, the budget becomes the primary tool used to implement policy.
The Board of County is charged with the policy-making role in county government. It is responsible for providing services to the citizens and collecting local taxes for the county’s operations. It also appoints citizens to various boards and commissions and adopts the annual budget for the county. The county board must also approve an annual budget, which includes a set tax rate. Once adopted, the Board of County can also set policies regarding development in the county.
The Board of County Commissioners acts as the governing body of the county. The commissioners are elected every two years during a countywide election. They serve four-year terms, and are responsible for a variety of decisions and responsibilities. In addition to overseeing the budget and making decisions, the commissioners appoint department heads and members to county boards. The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners serves as the board’s official representative.
The Board of County Commissioners meets twice a month, and meetings are webcast live and archived afterward. Meetings are open to the public. The Board holds study sessions and regular meetings, and is frequently engaged in community matters. Additionally, the commissioners are regularly engaged with local government, state, and federal agencies. Keeping in touch with these entities is critical to the smooth functioning of the county. However, due to the large number of commissioners, a meeting that may be difficult to attend will be held in an appropriate venue.