General Information

Kings County is a "general law" county, which means the county governmental structure is determined by the State Constitution and State General Law.

The Board of Supervisors is the governing body for Kings County and many county special districts. Each of the five members of the Board is elected on a non-partisan basis to a four-year term. Their terms overlap: two are elected during presidential election years and three during state general election years. Board members begin their terms at the first meeting in January, at which time they choose a new chairman. The Board has a status similar to a board of directors of a large corporation in that it sets policies and depends on the County Administrator, county officials, and department heads to carry out its wishes. The Board of Supervisors has administrative, legislative and quasi-judicial duties and responsibilities prescribed to it by the California State Constitution and Statutes.

Administrative functions

Legislative functions

Kings County Legislative Platform

Quasi-Judicial functions

The Board has control of the budget and manpower of departments headed by elected officials, but operational control lies with those officials which include: The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder, District Attorney and Sheriff. The Board appoints all non-elected department heads, the County Administrative Officer,  the Assistant County Administrative Officer and the Clerk of the Board.  They also have appointing authority over members of advisory boards and commissions.

Individual Supervisor Functions

Board meetings are only a part of the work of the members, who must attend many other types of meetings, listen to suggestions and complaints of county residents, participate in a variety of civic activities, and investigate and resolve a wide assortment of problems. They are called on to meet with elected representatives and officials of other government agencies.

Supervisors also belong to the San Joaquin Valley Supervisors Association (SJVSA), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC, Click here or more CSAC information), the National Association of Counties (NACo,  Click here for more NACo information), Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC, Click here for more RCRC information) and other special committees which promote county interests.

A county supervisor may serve in other capacities on various boards, commissions, or special districts. State statute authorizes, and in some cases mandates, that various services or functions be carried out by entities other than the Board of Supervisors. Some of these entities include:

Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG)
Air Pollution Control Districts (SJVUAPCD)
Joint Powers Authorities
Kings County Area Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA)
Housing Authority of Kings County
Board of Equalization, Click here for Assessment Appeals info

The roles and functions of these entities primarily relate to planning for future development and the associated services needs (e.g., water, sewer) and impacts (e.g., air quality, housing, etc.). Board members serving on one or more of these entities may find themselves making decisions on a variety of issues from regional planning to establishing spheres of influence for new cities or special districts within the county. 

The duties of the Kings County Board of Supervisors are as follows: 

• Appoint County department heads, except elected officials.
• Provide for the compensation of all County officials and employees.
• Create officers, boards, commissions and advisory committees as needed, appointing the members and fixing the terms of office.
• Award all contracts necessary for conducting County business.
• Adopt an annual budget.
• Serve as appellate body for employee grievances, planning and zoning.

County Code of Ordinances

Click on -County Code of Ordinances  to the left for access

Board Meeting Information

Weekly public Board meetings are held Tuesdays starting at 9:00 a.m. The meetings are held in the Board Chambers, located on 1400 W. Lacey Boulevard, Administration Building No. 1, Hanford, California.  As required by law the  agenda packet will be available by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the next Tuesday's meeting. All meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend.  Click here for specific agenda information, or contact: Board of Supervisors office at (559) 852-2362. 

The business of the Board is conducted publicly each Tuesday in the Board Chambers of the Administration Building in Hanford, the County Seat. Public hearings are set by Policy at 10:00 a.m.  Board of Equalization hearings are set as required.