County Government Structure

For most purposes, Douglas County acts through its Board of County Commissioners (BCC).  The three-member board acts, by majority vote of a quorum present, to adopt ordinances in those limited areas for which specific authority has been given by the State Legislature, and to adopt resolutions to conduct all of its other business.

The BCC performs legislative, executive and quasi-judicial functions.  The Board serves as the legislative, policy-making and administrative body governing the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.

The BCC appoints a County Administrator to carry out the policy directions of the Board and to supervise and coordinate the work of the staff in the departments that fall under direct control of the Board.  With the exception of the County Attorney, the County Administrator will have line authority over all County divisions under the BCC. 

The County Attorney is a constitutionally prescribed county office.  By statute, the County Attorney is a position that is filled by appointment of the BCC.  The County Attorney’s Office provides legal advice and representation for the BCC. The County Attorney, with the approval of the BCC, also advises and represents all other Douglas County elected officials, the County Administrator, department and division heads, and appointed commissions, boards and committees.

Other County Elected Officials

The other constitutional officers elected to four-year terms are the County Clerk and Recorder, County Assessor, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Coroner and County Surveyor.  Constitutionally and statutorily, they are independent from each other and from the County Commissioners.  Their powers and duties are prescribed by state statute.  The County Commissioners have no direct authority over the other elected officials in the county except that commissioners approve budgets for all other elected officials’ departments.