In either case, these appointed officials serve at the pleasure of the board. But they may operate under a county administrator or a county controller form of government in which a county administrator or county controller carries out many of the day-to-day functions of the government. Most general law counties operate under a regular board of commissioners form of government in which the board shares executive functions with an elected county treasurer and clerk, but performs all other executive functions. The type of government dictates the form of government.Ī general law county is governed under general law in which the county board of commissioners shares executive and legislative functions with other county-wide elected and appointed officials. County governments are limited mostly to operating the local criminal justice system, maintaining vital records and partnering with the state in providing social services.Ĭounties are organized into three types or options: general law, optional unified, and charter, and six forms: county board of commissioners, county administrator, county controller, county manager, and county executive. With few exceptions, most local government services in Michigan are provided at the city or township level. The government of the state's counties is generally structured as county board of commissioners, which function as the legislative body of the county with some executive powers with several elected executive officers as required by the state constitution from the sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, and prosecuting attorney. Where places within the county are incorporated, and thus granted home rule, the power of the county government is greatly diminished.

This local government division has its greatest effect on unincorporated lands within the county, and can provide service which can include law enforcement, justice administration, health care, among other basic services. Michigan is divided into 83 counties, the primary administrative division of Michigan.

Attorney general definition of township