General Overview PIERCE COUNTY
A county is a political subdivision of the state. Counties derive their existence from state law and powers expressly conferred by the state constitution and state laws.
County Government In the United States, government is divided into separate branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) and levels (federal, state, and local). Each branch and each level are partially independent of the others. At the local level, government is further divided among general-purpose entities such as cities and counties, and special purpose districts such as schools, utilities, and fire districts. No government entity stands entirely on its own – each entity is part of a network of governments, working together to deliver services to the public. To understand a particular unit of government, it is useful to have a concept of its place in the overall system. A county is a political subdivision of the state. Counties derive their existence from state law and from powers expressly conferred by the state constitution and state laws. For example, counties are required to appraise property values for tax purposes, and to collect property taxes from their residents. In this regard, counties act as agents for state government.
Pierce County is a home rule county. The County Charter defines the executive and legislative responsibilities of County government.
Locally-elected officials govern counties. Pierce County is a home rule county established by the people in 1980. The County has all the powers authorized under the state constitution and laws of the State of Washington for a home rule form of government. The Charter separated executive and legislative responsibilities by establishing the position of County Executive to serve as the chief executive officer and a sevenmember County Council to serve as the legislative branch. The County had an annual budget through 2019. In 2018, the County Charter was amended after voters approved moving forward with a biennial budget beginning in 2020-21. The County Council is the policy-setting body of the County and has all the powers of the County which are not otherwise reserved to the people, the County Executive, and general law. The County Councilmembers are elected by the voters of seven districts in Pierce County. Legislative authority is exercised by the adoption and enactment of ordinances or resolutions. The executive branch is comprised of the County Executive and all executive departments established by the Charter or by ordinance. County executive departments include four currently elected positions (Assessor-Treasurer, Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney, and Sheriff) with other department directors appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council.
Pierce County 2022-23 Biennial Budget
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