Voters are making choices in contested races for a number of important positions in county government. Here is a look at those jobs:
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The county has three commissioners; two of those seats are up in the June 2 primary. The commissioners represent geographic districts, but voters countywide elect them. They serve four-year terms and are responsible for the administration of county business. Those duties include (but are not limited to) receiving bids and authorizing contracts; issuing bonds, along with the county council, for construction projects; supervising construction of and maintenance of roads and bridges; and maintaining the county courthouse, jail and other offices. Other responsibilities include supervising the county solid-waste management district, appointing a cemetery commission, establishing war memorials and erecting historical markers.
COUNTY COUNCIL
The council holds the purse-strings of county government and serves as a check on the board of commissioners. For elections, the county is divided into four districts represented by one council member each. Voters also elect three at-large members who run countywide. The three at-large seats are up for election in this primary. As the fiscal body of county government, the council adopts the annual budget; fixes the county tax rate; authorizes appropriations; and levies certain taxes.
COUNTY CORONER
The coroner is a constitutional officer and is elected to a four-year term. The chief responsibility of the job is to determine the manner of death in cases involving violence or casualty, or when someone is found dead under unexplained circumstances. The coroner also supervises autopsies. Under the law, the coroner may perform the duties of the sheriff if the sheriff is incapacitated or disqualified and has no chief deputy. The coroner has the authority to arrest the sheriff when a warrant is issued.
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE
Hancock County has three courts: the circuit court, which derives its name from the time when judges traveled on horseback from county to county — or “riding circuit” — to hear cases; and two superior courts. The courts are mostly courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they hear most types of cases. In Hancock County, Superior Court 1 hears a variety of criminal and civil matters. The judges are elected to six-year terms.
