Form of Government
Meriwether County has the most popular form of county government - the commission form. Serving a population of approximately 20,613 people, Meriwether County’s Board of Commissioners has five members, with residents from each of the five districts electing one member of the Board to serve a 4-year term.
About the Board
The Board functions as the legislative and administrative head of Meriwether County. The powers of the Board are outlined in Georgia Statutes, the management and control of County property and the transaction of business affairs of the County are vested in the Board.
Duties
The following are the responsibilities of the policy-making body:
- Adopting rules and policies
- Appointing members to County Board committees (with the exception of elected officials)
- Approving capital improvement plans
- Authorizing expenditures
- Ensuring citizen concerns are met
- Establishing a budget and levying taxes to finance County services
- Making land-use decisions
- Managing county roads, buildings, and property
- Planning land use within the county
- Providing assistance to constituents as their elected representative
- Serving as employer for County personnel
- Serving on several other committees and boards
County Administrator
The Board of Commissioners appoints a County Administrator to oversee department heads, policy implementation and daily operations of the County. In addition, Commissioners appoint the following roles:
- Animal Services Director
- Building and Zoning Director
- County Clerk
- E911 Director
- Emergency Management Director
- Fire / Rescue (EMS) Chief
- Finance Director
- IT Systems Coordinator
- Public Works Director
- Representatives to serve on other County boards and committees
Other Boards
In addition to regular County Board meetings, Commissioners serve on county-related boards and sub-committees. They also bring the County’s concerns before state and federal lawmakers and interact with other local boards, such as city and town councils.