Did you know that
last year alone, Ingham County provided 73,412 days of patient
care at the Ingham Medical Care Facility, supported the delivery
of 210,251 meals to senior citizens by the Tri-County Aging Consortium,
maintained 1,247 miles of roads through the Road Commission, housed
11,351 prisoners at the County Jail, gave 52,670 immunizations
at the Health Department and processed 10,838 cases filed in Circuit
Court? That more than 1 million visits were made to one of the
Ingham County Parks? Or that some 16,543 residents of limited
means and without insurance were provided access to primary health
care services and prescriptions? Did you know that many services
essential to our health, safety and well-being such as disaster
preparedness, communicable disease control and restaurant inspections--are
also provided by Ingham County.
Who Does What?
Responsibilities for the services delivered or supported
by Ingham County are divided among various elected officials,
judges, appointed boards and commissions and appointed officials.
A long history of cooperation among these different officials
has enabled Ingham County to operate efficiently and effectively
over many years.
Ingham County is governed by a sixteen-member Board of Commissioners.
Each Commissioner is elected on a partisan basis for terms of
two years from single-member districts
that are approximately equal in population. Primary functions
of the Board include determining the type and level of County
services, overseeing many of the services, adopting the annual
budget, equalizing property values, and appointing various officials
and boards.
Judges
of the 30th Judicial Circuit and the Probate Court are elected
at large for six year terms, while the Judges of the 55th District
Court are elected from the area of the County outside of Lansing
and East Lansing. The court system is part of the Michigan Supreme
Court and overseen by the respective presiding Judge, while
the County government primarily provides financial support.
Responsibility
for the delivery of specific county services are delegated by
the constitution to six county-wide elected officials who are
elected at-large for 4 year terms. For example, the Clerk maintains
vital records such as births, deaths and marriages while serving
also as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners and to the Circuit
Court. The Drain Commissioner administers the location, construction
and maintenance of drains in the County. On behalf of the people
of the state, the Prosecuting Attorney prosecutes violations
of state criminal law within the County. The Register of Deeds
maintains records relating to all property transactions, including
deeds, mortgages, surveys, plats, notices of liens and bills
of sale. The Sheriff operates the County Jail, provides primary
law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county, and oversees
emergency services. The Treasurer has custody of County funds,
and is responsible for their investment and safekeeping. Each
of these officials has many other responsibilities as well.
The administration
of the County, other than as delegated to elected officials,
is guided by the County Controller, who is appointed by the
Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners also appoint
several officials and boards with specific areas of responsibilities
as authorized the Board and state law. Appointed officials include
the Health Officer, Medical Examiner, Equalization/Tax Mapping Director
and Animal Control Director.
Appointed
boards include the Road Commission, Parks Board, Fair Board,
Housing Commission and the Economic Development Corporation
Board of Directors. In conjunction with other appointed authorities,
the Board also appoints some members of the Family Independence
Agency Board, the Capital Area District Library Board, and representatives
to regional bodies overseeing programs in the area of airport
operations, aging, manpower training, planning and substance
abuse. MSU Extension and Ingham County jointly fund and deliver
a broad range of informational and non-formal education programs
designed to foster child, youth and family, agricultural, neighborhood
and community development.
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