Overview
Once called the County Court, the modern County Commission actually functions as the legislative body of county government, working primarily through the committee system. There are seven standing committees and numerous other committees boards and commissions whose vote functions as a recommendation to the full County Commission. There are 15 commission districts in Washington County with one commissioner representing each district.
County commissioners are elected in the August general election for a four-year term, which begins September 1. County commissioners must reside within and be a qualified voter of the district represented. County employees otherwise qualified to serve may hold office as a legislative body member.
However, no person elected or appointed as county executive, sheriff, trustee, register, county clerk, assessor of property, or any other countywide office filled by popular vote or by the legislative body may be nominated for or elected to the legislative body. If a commission member accepts nomination for any of the above offices, or for the General Assembly when the office is being filled by the legislative body, that member becomes disqualified to continue in office and a vacancy in the commission will automatically exist. Vacancies are filled by the remaining commission members until a successor is elected in the next general election.