ࡱ> NPM)` !bjbjUU .,??  6  H6J6J6J6J6J6J6$7h9jn6 n6 6ttt.  H6tH6ttt `0o BvtH6606tQ:Q:tt%Q:5P  t Z  n6n6j 6    HYPERLINK "http://www.naco.org/newsroom/pubs/Documents/County%20Management%20and%20Structure/County%20Authority%20a%20State%20by%20State%20Report.pdf" http://www.naco.org/newsroom/pubs/Documents/County%20Management%20and%20Structure/County%20Authority%20a%20State%20by%20State%20Report.pdf Page 86 National Association of Counties COUNTY AUTHORITY Massachusetts Introduction: Massachusetts abolished eight county governments from 1997 to 2000, leaving only six functioning governments. The remaining governments derive their authority from Chapters 34, 34B, and 35 of the Annotated Law of Massachusetts. These governments have only limited power, with most authority delegated to municipal corporations. Counties may hold public meetings regarding county business and may punish disrupters of these meetings for contempt. Massachusetts is not a Dillons rule state, so this report only reflects the explicit powers granted to counties in the law. Counties may exercise other power as they see fit. County Finance: A county budget advisory board, with votes distributed among municipal governments proportional to the value of county assessments against the municipality, shall consist of the city administrator and city councilmen or town aldermen. This advisory board may increase or decrease the proposed budget and appropriate funds to present to the county treasurer. In the case of Capital Improvements Funds, the advisory board may appropriate an amount not to exceed ten percent raised in the preceding fiscal year by assessment on towns and cities for capital improvements. Counties may levy taxes to cover any cost which assessments and other sources of revenue will not cover, including debt and interest on debt which will mature in the fiscal year. County taxes must be approved by the budget advisory board. Taxes may be apportioned among the cities and towns based on the most recent equalization reported by the state commissioner of revenue. In case of need for emergency expenditure, the county commission may seek reprieve for emergency funds to be paid off in two years from a state board created for that purpose. The county may receive gifts, by devise or bequest, from private donors and may hold those gifts in trust or security under the administration of the county treasurer. Similarly for federal grants, any county administrative unit may accept a federal grant for the execution of its duties and may give up such a grant into the custody of the county treasurer. Zoning and Land Use: The county commission has the care and management of county property. Counties in Massachusetts are required to provide certain public buildings, including courthouses, jails, houses of correction, and fireproof offices. The commissioners may provide for the erection and maintenance of jails and other public buildings, but no appropriations may be made in excess of those specifically authorized by the county commission. They may also sell, lease, or otherwise convey public lands which are not being used for any other public purpose. Sale of jails or houses of correction must be used to fund the construction of new jails or houses of correction or to reimburse loans made to fund county operations.The county may acquire property by purchase, lease, or exercise of eminent domain for public purpose or to improve, protect, and properly utilize open spaces. Such acquisition must be approved by town or city conservation committees and the state department of environmental management if it lies within a town or city. Land used for agricultural purposes may not be taken under eminent domain. Public Health, Safety, and Sanitation: County commissioners may appoint a senior citizen to serve as assistant commissioner for affairs concerning the elderly. This position, which shall not have legislative power, shall serve as an ombudsman for the elderly and an advisor to the county commission. Similarly, the county commission may appoint an assistant commissioner for handicapped affairs to serve as an advisor to the commission on affairs related to handicapped people but who shall hold no power in the government.The county may appropriate funds to construct, maintain, improve, expand, and operate a county hospital. This includes equipment purchases, personnel expenses, and operating expenses of the hospital.The county commissioners, subject to approval by the department of corrections, may acquire a county industrial farm not to exceed 500 acres. The county may subsequently reclaim the land using prison labor and may sell the land after reclamation if the commission deems that to be in public interest. Roads, Bridges, and Transportation: County commissions have jurisdiction over all roads, bridges, and public ways within the political boundaries of their subdivision. This includes acquiring land, and constructing, maintaining, and improving public ways. Commissions also have the sole authority to discontinue public ways if use falls of so significantly as maintaining the road is no longer in the public interest. Commissioners may asses the land which benefits from the construction or improvement of a highway a proportion of the cost, the rest of which must be paid by the county. Alternative Forms of County Government: All counties, excluding Barnstable, have the authority to adopt and amend a charter. The county commission, advisory board on county expenditures, or a petition of voters in the county may initiate a charter commission to study the current governmental structure of a county and propose a alternative home-rule charter. The charter commission may make use of all clerical, financial, and legal services necessary to make its report to the county commission. The commission may put the charter to a referendum. Majority approval of electors in the county shall be sufficient to institute a new charter government. Counties can either choose an elected executive with a set term limit or a county manager to be appointed indefinitely to serve at the pleasure of the elected commissioners. Alternately, they may choose a board chairperson to wield executive power for a one year term. Charter governments have the power to regulate internal affairs, including the establishment, consolidation, and abolishment of public offices, adopt and enforce ordinances, construct and maintain public improvements, exercise eminent domain powers, exercise all powers of county government as the county commission may determine, and enter into contracts. 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