SONOMA COUNTY GOVERNMENT

 Sonoma County is one of the original 27 counties which formed California in 1849. Santa Rosa has been the county seat since 1854. The original stone courthouse was destroyed in the 1906 earth quake.

The Sonoma County Courthouse in Santa Rosa before the 1906 earthquake ...

... and after. The quake devastated Santa Rosa, where much of the downtown was constructed of brick.

 The laws of the county are made by the vote of the people and the action of the Board of Supervisors. One member is elected from each of the 5 sections of the county (called Supervisorial Districts). They are in charge of all county property such as land, buildings and machinery.

 There are two kinds of county officers; those elected by the people and those appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The elected officials keep their jobs for 4 year terms but they can be elected to as many terms as they want. The appointed officials keep their job for a certain amount of time.

  The County Auditor is the bookkeeper for the county. He/she keeps track of all the money.

  The County Clerk is in charge of all the elections, issues marriage licenses and citizenship papers.

  The District Attorney is the chief law-enforcement officer in the county. He/she prosecutes people accused of crimes.

  The nine Judges of the Superior Court and six Judges of the Municipal Court decide on the meaning of the laws.

  The County Recorder keeps records of births, deaths, deeds, mortgages, etc.

  The Sheriff is in charge of law and order in unincorporated areas of the county (areas not belonging to a city)/

  The Superintendent of Schools is in charge of the 42 school districts in Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Board of Education is a link between the California State Department of Education and the County's schools.

  The Tax Collector is the banker of the county and collects all the taxes.

  The County Counsel is the county lawyer and advises all county officers of the law.

Looking south on Mendocino Avenue toward the courthouse 1930.

New Courthouse after the original was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake