County hospitals are a major source of health care for low-income residents. Counties operate the trial court systems and the jails at the local level. Counties collect all property taxes and transfer appropriate sums to cities and special districts while retaining an amount for themselves. Counties fulfill a wide range of services that are received by all county residents - residents living in unincorporated areas as well as residents living in cities. Residents living in unincorporated areas receive county services such as law enforcement, fire protection and road maintenance.
Counties are the weakest units in state government.
The board determines policy while an experienced county administrator handles the direct affairs of the county.