During the depression, the State took over operational cost of public schools and the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and ferries. Since then, the State has expanded the role of counties in most providing services. The one structural change since 1905 was the County Manager Enabling Act of 1927. All counties exercise powers and discharge responsibilities through a Board of Commissioners. Counties have wide latitude in structuring the Board, and initiating changes to Board structure.
Most Boards have five members but size ranges from three to nine members.
The vast majority of members serve staggered four-year terms. A majority of counties have district elections for some or all seats. All Commissioners are elected by the people on a partisan basis in November of even-numbered years. Vacancies on the Board are filled by the remaining members. They must be from the same political party.