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.

Pierce County is a home rule county. The County Charter defines the executive and legislative responsibilities of County government. 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.

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.

The voters elect 43 officials covering legislative, executive, and judicial functions.

The budget is prepared by the County Executive and presented to the County Council for approval. According to the Charter, all executive departments are subject to the personnel, budgeting, expenditure, and any other policies of general application established by the County Executive.

Responsibility of County finances is under the authority of the County Executive and the Finance Department.

Organization of County Government

Pierce County is a home rule county, which means that the organization of the County is prescribed by the home rule charter. The chart in this section provides an overview of the County structure, including its elected officials and major departments. For simplicity, the chart does not include the advisory boards or other organizations that are partially or wholly under the jurisdiction of the County.

The voters of Pierce County elect 43 officials, including 7 County Councilmembers, a County Executive, 23 Superior Court Judges, 8 District Court Judges, a Prosecuting Attorney, an Auditor, an AssessorTreasurer, and a Sheriff.

County Elected Officials

County Council – The seven-member County Council is the County’s legislative body and is the policy-determining body, as provided by the Charter. The County is divided into seven districts, and one County Councilmember is nominated and elected by the voters of each district. The County Council has all powers of the County not otherwise reserved to the people, the County Executive, or general law. The County Council may adopt comprehensive plans and regulations affecting the present and future development of the County. The County Council levies taxes, appropriates revenue, and adopts budgets for the County. The term of office is limited to two consecutive four-year terms.

County Executive – The Pierce County Charter establishes the position of County Executive to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the County. The County Executive’s Office is responsible for the supervision and management of the executive branch of County government. These responsibilities include the supervision and management of all County administrative operations, including staffing, expenditures, and procedures; strategic direction for County services and, execution, enforcement, and support of Pierce County policy and state/federal statutes.

The County Charter places term limits on elected officials. The County Council and Executive are limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Some other elected officials are limited to three four-year terms. The County Executive also prepares and presents to the County Council budgets and budget messages setting forth proposals for County operations during the succeeding Biennium, and prepares comprehensive plans, including capital improvement and economic development plans. The term of office is limited to two consecutive fouryear terms.

Superior Court Judges – Superior Court is the trial court for felonies and for civil cases. Superior Court also has jurisdiction over divorce, probate, juvenile, competency, and domestic cases.

District Court Judges – District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction over the following types of cases: traffic infractions; criminal and traffic misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors; civil matters for damages or injury to individuals or personal property, penalties and contract disputes no greater than $100,000; small claims for recovery of money where the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000; name changes; and antiharassment and stalking protection orders.

Assessor-Treasurer – The Assessor-Treasurer is responsible for the appraisal of real and personal property in the County for the purpose of assessing property taxes. The Assessor-Treasurer is elected at large to a four-year term but, is limited to three consecutive four-year terms.

Auditor – The Auditor is responsible for recording documents, such as titles and deeds, the issuance of passports and marriage, motor vehicle, pet, and County business licenses, conducting elections, and processing legal documents. The Auditor is elected at large to a four-year term, but is limited to three consecutive four-year terms.

Prosecuting Attorney – The Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of crimes. The Prosecutor also acts as legal counsel to the County. The Office is organized into six major divisions that perform the legal functions of Pierce County: Civil Division, Felony Division, Investigation Services Unit, Juvenile Division, Misdemeanor Division, and Family Support Division. The Prosecuting Attorney is elected at large to a four-year term and is not term limited.

Sheriff – The Sheriff is responsible for the provision of police services in the unincorporated portion of the County, including patrol, criminal investigation, and emergency response. The Sheriff delivers police services for University Place, Edgewood, and Pierce Transit, as well as involvement with multi-agency forces and school partnerships. The Sheriff also administers the regional County Jail. The Sheriff is elected at large to a four-year term, but is limited to three consecutive four-year terms.