Article 11: Counties

The State of San Andreas shall be divided into counties for the purpose of local government. Each county shall be a body corporate and politic, with such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by law. The Legislature shall establish a uniform system of county governments throughout the State.

Each county shall elect a Board of Commissioners, who shall be the legislative and executive body of the county government. Each county shall also elect a County Assessor, a County Clerk, a County Sheriff, a County Surveyor, and a County Treasurer, whose duties shall be prescribed by law. The following elected officials shall be responsible for the administration of their respective offices within each county. All county officials must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a resident of the county (or district if serving on the Board) for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election, and are subject to a four (4) year term with a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.

(a) COUNTY ASSESSOR: The County Assessor shall be responsible for the valuation and assessment of all real and taxable personal property within the county. The Assessor shall maintain a comprehensive inventory of all such property and shall establish its fair market value for the purpose of taxation. This duty is fundamental to ensuring that all property owners contribute equitably to the support of county government and public services.

(b) COUNTY CLERK: The County Clerk shall serve as the chief elections officer for all county-level elections, with the duty to ensure the integrity, fairness, and transparency of the electoral process. The Clerk is also the custodian of all public records and documents for the county, including but not limited to, vital records, property deeds, marriage licenses, and court filings. This role is essential for maintaining a permanent record of the county's official acts and the legal rights of its citizens.

(c) COUNTY SHERIFF: The County Sheriff shall be the chief law enforcement officer of the county. The Sheriff shall have the power and the duty to enforce all state and county laws, to preserve the peace, and to suppress all riots, insurrections, and breaches of the peace. The Sheriff shall also be responsible for the security and protection of the courts and for the operation and maintenance of the county jail. This office is critical for the safety and order of the community.

(d) COUNTY SURVEYOR: The County Surveyor shall be responsible for all official surveying and mapping activities within the county. This includes the establishment and verification of all public and private land boundaries, the review of all subdivision plats, and the maintenance of all related records. The Surveyor's role is crucial for ensuring the accurate and legal description of all land within the county.

(e) COUNTY TREASURER: The County Treasurer shall be the custodian of all public funds belonging to the county. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt, safekeeping, and disbursement of all county moneys in accordance with the law and the appropriations made by the Board of County Commissioners. The Treasurer's duties are vital for the fiscal health and stability of the county government.

The Board of Supervisors, as provided for in Section 2 of this Article, shall be known as the Board of County Commissioners. The composition of the Board shall be determined by the population of the respective county, as follows: For counties with a population of less than ten thousand (10,000) people, the Board shall have three (3) members. For counties with a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more, the Board shall have five (5) members. For counties with a population of eighteen thousand (18,000) or more, the Board shall have seven (7) members. All County Commissioners shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and may serve for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.

The Legislature may, by law, grant counties the power of Home Rule, enabling them to draft and adopt their own charters. Such charters shall provide for the governance of county affairs and shall not be in conflict with the laws or Constitution of the State of San Andreas.

Counties shall have the power to levy and collect taxes, fees, and assessments for public purposes as may be prescribed by law. They may incur debt, but only in a manner and amount authorized by the Legislature. All county funds shall be managed and accounted for in a transparent manner, and a public report of all receipts and expenditures shall be published annually.

The counties of the State shall exercise such powers as are necessary to provide for the peace, safety, and general welfare of their inhabitants. These powers may include, but are not limited to, law enforcement, public health and sanitation, the maintenance of roads and public works, and the provision of social services.

No county officer or employee shall have a direct or indirect financial interest in any contract, transaction, or business with the county in which they serve. The Legislature shall enact laws to prevent and punish all forms of conflicts of interest and to ensure the ethical conduct of all county officers.

The Board of County Commissioners shall be responsible for adopting a budget for the subsequent fiscal year. The annual budget shall be adopted no later than October 1st of the year immediately preceding the fiscal year to which it applies. All public records of county receipts and expenditures for a given calendar year shall be made public on the last Thursday of December of that same year.