County commission

History

Origin

William Penn, colonial founder of Pennsylvania originated the system of county commissions in the United States.

On February 28, 1681, King Charles II of England granted a charter for a proprietary colony to William Penn to repay a debt of £16,000 (around £2,100,000 in 2008 currency, adjusting for retail inflation) owed to William's father, Admiral William Penn. This was one of the largest land grants to one individual ever made in history. Penn established a local colonial government with two innovations that were copied by other colonies in the British America: the county commission, and freedom of religious conviction.

Spread and development

As local governments were established on the frontier, the growth of township governments provided services more efficiently to rural areas than the county government. These townships were led by an elected leader called a Supervisor.

Several states replaced the directly elected County Commission with a representative system of the Supervisors of the townships. These became known as the Board of Supervisors. Western States started using this title for their county boards even when they are directly elected like a traditional commission.

New Jersey previously referred to county commissioners as freeholders, but its practice ended in 2021.

County boards by state

References and footnotes

References

1. Kelly, John. (2010-03-23). "What does a county board of commissioners do?".
2. (2016-04-22). "Unravelling local government: County commissioners vs. county council".
3. (28 February 2018). "Senate passes 5 county commissioners bill with 'tweak' {{!}} The Spokesman-Review".
4. (2018-08-01). "Editorial: What's better than three commissioners? Five.".
5. Devine, Jacqueline. (2018-03-09). "Board of County Commissioners turns down motion to increase board from 3 members to 5".
6. [https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/pa01.asp Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania-1681]. This charter, granted by [[Charles II (England)]] to William Penn, constituted him and his heirs as proprietors of the province, which, in honor of his father, Admiral [[William Penn (Royal Navy officer). William Penn]], (whose cash advances and services were thus requited) was called Pennsylvania. To perfect his title, William Penn purchased, on 1682-08-24, a quit-claim from the [[James II (England). Duke of York]] to the lands west of the [[Delaware River]] embraced in his patent of 1664
7. (1916). "Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Governors, Volume 1".
8. "Measuring Worth". Measuring Worth.
9. (March 28, 2006). "Quakers and the political process". Pym.org.
10. (2020-08-21). "'Freeholder' Title Abolished In New Jersey".
11. MICHELLE BRUNETTI. (21 August 2020). "Murphy signs bill into law to change "freeholder" title to "commissioner"".
12. "Part 21. County Commissioners - Table of Contents, Title 7, Chapter 4, MCA".