Separation of Powers in Lee County Government
Seven equal sections of county government provide services and facilities to the citizens.
20th Judicial Circuit
Board of County Commissioners
Clerk of Courts
Property Appraiser
Sheriff
Supervisor of Elections
Tax Collector
As a general rule the Board of County Commissioners tend to supply, maintain and manage facilities and infrastructure to the citizenry ( roads, bridges, parks, libraries, airport, incinerator, etc. ) The other six ( sometimes referred to as the “Constitutional Officers” ), tend to supply services ( elections, law enforcement, property appraisal, audits, etc. )
Each Constitutional Office has an elected official(s) at the top of their organizational chart and are separate from and independent of the other six. They also have their own specific jurisdiction, duties and responsibilities. Each supplies services not duplicated elsewhere in the system. They are separate but equal and not subservient to each other. Nonetheless, each Office works together to serve the public.
Two examples ………
A. Property Appraiser determines the assessed value of your property. Board of County Commissioners determines the tax rate. Tax Collector then issues your annual property tax bill. Once the money is collected, the Tax Collector forwards the money to the Commissioners who in turn distribute to the other 6 sections of Lee County government.
B. A person commits election fraud. Supervisor of Elections notifies the Sheriff who arrests the individual. The individual goes to trial in the 20th Judicial Circuit. During the trial, Clerk of Courts keeps the official record of court proceedings. State Attorney prosecutes and Public Defender defends the accused.
* This information is adapted from the Lee GROWS education program organized and operated by Lee County Government.