Prior to admission to the Union in 1803, territorial laws, especially the Ordinance of 1787, provided for the first forms of local government in Ohio. The lands of the Northwest Territory (Ohio included) previously were surveyed under the Ordinance of 1785 into township sections. When the territory's first governor took office in 1788, however, he instituted the authority to create counties and townships under the new territorial government. The laws established under the Ordinance and the new government gave the early counties the authority to raise money by taxes and levies, to establish a courthouse, a criminal/debtor jail, and also to construct a pillory, whipping post, and stocks. These early laws also provided for the establishment of a roadway system for the counties.

The first of Ohio's counties to be platted was Washington County in 1788. As its boundaries were drawn first, Washington County comprised more than a third of the entire state. Other counties also were formed by the territorial governors' proclamations. By 1803, ten counties had been established, having little resemblance to their modern-day counterparts.

When Ohio became a state in 1803, the Ohio State Constitution assumed the responsibility of making provision for county government. Elections were held for the county commissioners, the sheriff, and the coroner. The Ohio Supreme Court also was required to meet in each county once a year until 1851 according to state law.

In the early years of county government, the primary responsibilities of the officials centered around the justice system and taxing areas. The Board of County Commissioners was responsible for implementing and administering the functional aspects of county government including the levying of taxes, building projects, public welfare and security, and similar services. Additional services included the development of roads, bridges, and ditches.

Article X, Section 1, of the 1851 Ohio State Constitution pro-vided for the legal formation and organization of county government by general law. Under general law, the county is a link, a representative of state government established to carry out state laws and policies. However, as needs and demands increase, the state can confer new powers upon counties so that they will become more effective governing structures. Article X also provided for optional forms of county government such as charter government with home rule.

The basic core of officials responsible for the daily operations of county government are the County Commissioners, Auditor, Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Engineer, Coroner, Recorder, and the Sheriff. Common Pleas and Probate Court judges also are elected officials. Their powers are derived from the Ohio General Assembly.

County government today continues to serve the community at large by providing those services necessary to insure order and due process in communities made up of rural and municipal areas.

COUNTY OFFICES

• BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
• BOARD OF EDUCATION
• BOARD OF ELECTIONS
• BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH AND RETARDATION (648 BOARD)
• BOARD OF MENTAL RETARDATION (169 BOARD)
• BOARD OF RAILROAD APPRAISERS AND ASSESSORS
• BOARD OF REVISION
• CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD
• CLERK OF COURTS
  • Auto Titles
  • Circuit Court
  • Court of Appeals
  • Court of Common Pleas
    • Civil Division
    • Criminal Division
    • Domestic Relations
    • Juvenile Court
    • Probation Department
  • District Court
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Probate Court
  • Superior Court
  • Supreme Court
• COUNTY AUDITOR
• COUNTY CORONER
• COUNTY COURT
• COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (Department of Public Welfare)
• COUNTY ENGINEER
• COUNTY HOME
• COUNTY RECORDER
• COUNTY SHERIFF
• COUNTY TREASURER
• GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT
• PARK DISTRICT
• PLANNING COMMISSION
• PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
• SEWER DISTRICT
• SOLDIERS' RELIEF COMMISSION
• TRUSTEES OF THE SINKING FUND
• TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL