What NJ County Commissioners do

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What the heck is a County Commissioner?
How does County Government impact me?

In a nutshell…

County governments play a critical role in local administration, often handling a wide range of responsibilities that directly impact the daily lives of residents, which includes the administration of our elections. While specific responsibilities can vary by state or county, here are some common functions typically managed by NJ county governments:

  1. Elections:

    • Conducting local elections and managing voter registration

    • Maintaining election integrity and ensuring access to voting

  2. Public Safety:

    • Law enforcement (sheriff's departments and county police)

    • Fire protection services

    • Emergency medical services (ambulance services)

  3. Judicial Services:

    • Operation of County courts (including district and probate courts)

  4. Health Services:

    • Public health departments (disease prevention, health education)

    • Environmental health (food safety, water quality)

  5. Education:

    • Oversight of County schools and technical institutes

    • Support for educational programs and services

  6. Transportation and Infrastructure:

    • Maintenance of county roads and bridges

    • Public transportation services

  7. Social Services:

    • Assistance programs (e.g., welfare, food assistance, housing support)

    • Services for seniors, children, and families, veterans

  8. Land Use and Development:

    • Zoning and land use planning

    • County Property assessments

  9. Parks and Recreation:

    • Operation and maintenance of county parks and recreational facilities

    • Organization of community events and county recreational programs

  10. Elections:

    • Conducting local elections and managing voter registration

    • Maintaining election integrity and ensuring access to voting

  11. Public Records and Services:

    • Management of land and property records and deeds

    • County clerk and Surrogate’s office

  12. Emergency Management:

    • Disaster planning and response

    • Coordination with state and federal emergency agencies

  13. Economic Development:

    • Promoting local economic growth and development

  • Supporting business and job creation initiatives

These responsibilities are often tailored to meet the specific needs of the local population, and county governments often collaborate with other levels of government and private organizations to deliver these services effectively.