Legislature

William W. Johnson
Chairman, Board of Legislators

Patrick R. Jareo
Vice Chairman, Board of Legislators

Jefferson County is governed by a 15 member Board of Legislators who serve for two year terms. The members of the Board of Legislators select a Chairman and Vice Chairman (from among the serving legislators) and organize the Board by adopting their Standing Rules at the beginning of each term. The Chairman of the Board is the presiding officer and the ex-officio member of all Standing and Special committees. The Chairman of the Board appoints the members and designates the Chairman to each Standing and Special Committee.   A list of current legislators with their contact information is attached here.

The Board of Legislators develops policy and legislation for the administration and operation of the County, while the administrative staff and operating departments implement the legislature's directives. Policy and legislative development is facilitated through three standing committees: Health & Human Services, General Services, and Finance & Rules.

Health and Human Services

Within the jurisdiction of this committee shall fall all issues arising out of the following departments or divisions:

  • Office for Aging
  • Community Services
  • Public Health
  • EMS
  • Medical Examiner
  • Social Services
  • Veterans Service Agency

and all other related matters referred to the committee.

General Services

This Committee provides oversight to each of the following departments/divisions:

  • Airport
  • Buildings and Grounds
  • Code Enforcement
  • District Attorney
  • Dog Control
  • Fire & Emergency Management
  • E-911
  • Highway
  • Planning
  • Probation
  • Public Defender
  • Recycling/Waste Management
  • Sheriff
  • Weights and Measurements

as well as County owned or leased buildings and property, and all other matters referred to the committee.

Finance and Rules Committee

This Committee provides oversight to each of the following departments/divisions:

  • Administration
  • Clerk of the Board
  • Budget
  • County Attorney
  • County Clerk
  • Records Management
  • Board of Elections
  • Employment & Training
  • Human Resources
  • Information Services
  • Insurance
  • Jefferson Community College
  • Purchasing
  • Central Printing/Supplies
  • Real Property Tax Services
  • County Treasurer

as well as borrowing and indebtedness; external audit; taxation; review of the tentative budget; rules of procedure; intergovernmental relations; legislators' expenses; resolutions and local laws involving the appropriation or expenditure of funds; apportionment of the Board or structures of the government; employee contract negotiations; creation and abolition of positions; retirement; as well as the occupancy tax and all other issues, agencies and advisory boards pertaining to tourism, agriculture, natural resources and economic development, and all other related matters referred to the committee.