Deficits at the national and state levels have reduced intergovernmental transfers upon which counties have relied. Counties do not offer services for which user fees can be collected - unlike city governments. V. County Services California's counties provide certain services that are unavailable from city governments. Examples of services are health and welfare services like immunizations, mental health, and aid to families with dependent children. 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.