The Government of San Joaquin County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution and law as a general law county.[1] Much of the Government of California is in practice the responsibility of county governments, such as the Government of San Joaquin County. The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.[2]
The County government is composed of the elected five-member Board of Supervisors, several other elected offices including the Sheriff, District Attorney, and Assessor, and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the County Administrator.
Some chartered cities such as Stockton and Tracy provide municipal services such as police, public safety, libraries, parks and recreation, and zoning. Some other cities arrange to have the County provide some or all of these services on a contract basis. In addition, several entities of the government of California have jurisdiction conterminous with San Joaquin County, such as the San Joaquin County Superior Court.
- ^ "Counties of California". San Joaquin County website. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "About County Government". Guide to Government. League of Women Voters of California. Retrieved 28 December 2012.