Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected by the qualified voters in the county for an eight-year term and serves as the chief administrative officer of court operations. The Clerk is responsible for managing and keeping records of court proceedings; collecting fines; recording and keeping land records and transfer of land ownership records such as deeds and mortgages; the custody of subdivision plats and land tract maps; the sale of hunting, fishing, and marriage licenses; and administering oaths.

County Treasurer

The County Treasurer is elected by the qualified voters in the county for a four-year term and is responsible for the collection, custody, and disbursement of county funds.  This official is also responsible for the custody of certain state funds which flow through the county offices. Under several optional forms of government, the Treasurer is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.

Commissioner of the Revenue

The Commissioner of the Revenue is elected by the qualified voters in the county for a four-year term and is charged with assessing local taxes including the preparation of the real estate and personal property tax books and tax bills. For example, the Commissioner may also assess taxes on merchant capital, business, and professional occupation license and certain machinery and tools. Under several optional forms of government the Commissioner of the Revenue is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.

Commonwealth’s Attorney

The Commonwealth’s Attorney is elected by the qualified voters in the county for a four-year term and is the state’s attorney for the prosecution of local criminal offenses.  The Board of Supervisors may employ a County Attorney to represent the Board in civil cases and to prosecute violations of county ordinances. 

Sheriff

The Sheriff is elected by the qualified voters in the county for a four-year term. He/She and the deputies are responsible for the protection of the lives and property of county residents. The Sheriff serves all warrants of arrest and summonses for witnesses and jurors, acts as bailiff at sessions of the Circuit and District Court, maintains order at meetings of the Board of Supervisors, and supervises the county jail and its inmates.  It should be noted that the Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in counties which do not have police departments.  He/She is relieved of law enforcement activities in counties where police departments have been established. As of 2013, 86 of 95 county Sheriffs serve as the chief local law enforcement officer (only nine counties maintain police departments).