County government is established to serve the local needs of the people or rural areas outside incorporated cities. Counties may levy and collect taxes, conduct elections, enforce laws, purchase and control property, erect buildings necessary for the use of the county, provide for public health and welfare, provide fire protection, license businesses and trades, establish and maintain schools and libraries and record property mortgages, deeds and other legal documents. Our county government is headed by a board of county commissioners, consisting of three commissioners. One commissioner is elected the same year as the President of the United States. The other two commissioners are elected on the alternating election. Each commissioner is elected for a four-year term. One of the three commissioners is chosen chairperson. The board is responsible for all county officers and departments. They are full-time commissioners who meet with the public and county department officials.