VOTE411 Voter Guide

County Council has the financial powers of the county, which serves as a check on the Commissioners and Treasurer. The County Council adopts the annual budget after estimates are submitted by the various county agencies. They fix the tax rate for all properties in the county. They have the power to set local income taxes and wheel taxes. They fix the salaries of officers, deputies, assistants and employees and determine the number of deputies, assistants and other employees whose salaries are payable from county funds based on recommendations. They have fiscal control over all county boards and commissions and have the exclusive power to authorize the borrowing of monies for the county. There are seven County Council members three elected at large and one from each of four districts. They are elected to four-year terms on a staggered basis.