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Overview and History of Plymouth County Government
Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest counties in the United States. It was established in 1685 by the General Court of the Plymouth Colony, just a few years before the Plymouth Colony was incorporated into the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. Since its creation, Plymouth County has played an important role in providing regional government services to its municipalities and preserving the area's rich historical heritage.
Unlike many counties in Massachusetts that were abolished or had most governmental functions transferred to the Commonwealth in the late 20th century, Plymouth County remains one of only a few counties that continue to operate an active county government. Today, Plymouth County functions as a statutory county, meaning it operates under the authority of the Massachusetts General Laws rather than through a county charter. Its authority is primarily established under Chapters 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
The county government serves the residents of its 27 cities and towns by providing regional services, maintaining county-owned facilities, preserving historical records, and coordinating programs that benefit municipalities across the county. While many public services in Massachusetts are delivered by state or municipal governments, Plymouth County continues to provide specialized services that are more efficiently managed on a regional basis.
The Plymouth County Commission
The executive authority of Plymouth County is vested in a three-member Plymouth County Commission, commonly known as the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners are elected by county voters to four-year staggered terms, ensuring continuity in county leadership. The Commission serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing county government operations and managing county property, finances, and administrative functions.
The Commission's responsibilities include:
In addition to the Commissioners, Plymouth County has elected officials including the Treasurer and Register of Deeds. Although the Sheriff is elected by county voters, the Sheriff's Office operates as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Likewise, the Clerk of Courts serves as the clerk to the Commissioners while functioning as a state official under the Massachusetts court system.
Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest counties in the United States. It was established in 1685 by the General Court of the Plymouth Colony, just a few years before the Plymouth Colony was incorporated into the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. Since its creation, Plymouth County has played an important role in providing regional government services to its municipalities and preserving the area's rich historical heritage.
Unlike many counties in Massachusetts that were abolished or had most governmental functions transferred to the Commonwealth in the late 20th century, Plymouth County remains one of only a few counties that continue to operate an active county government. Today, Plymouth County functions as a statutory county, meaning it operates under the authority of the Massachusetts General Laws rather than through a county charter. Its authority is primarily established under Chapters 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
The county government serves the residents of its 27 cities and towns by providing regional services, maintaining county-owned facilities, preserving historical records, and coordinating programs that benefit municipalities across the county. While many public services in Massachusetts are delivered by state or municipal governments, Plymouth County continues to provide specialized services that are more efficiently managed on a regional basis.
The Plymouth County Commission
The executive authority of Plymouth County is vested in a three-member Plymouth County Commission, commonly known as the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners are elected by county voters to four-year staggered terms, ensuring continuity in county leadership. The Commission serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing county government operations and managing county property, finances, and administrative functions.
The Commission's responsibilities include:
- Preparing and administering the annual county budget in cooperation with elected county officials and department heads.
- Managing county-owned buildings, facilities, and other public assets, including maintenance of the Brockton Superior Court, Hingham District Court and Wareham District Court.
- Establishing county policies and overseeing county departments under its jurisdiction.
- Overseeing group health insurance purchasing for the governmental entities in Plymouth County through the Mayflower Municipal Health Group (MMHG). As a self-insured entity, MMHG processes approximately $100 million in insurance claims annually for more than 10,000 municipal employees and their families, and has become one of the most successful self-insured joint purchase groups in the country.
- Administering a bulk purchasing program for participating municipalities to secure discounts on items like fuel oil, gasoline and diesel fuel.
- Cooperative bids for public safety and maintenance vehicles to reduce costs.
- Collaborating with the University of Massachusetts and the United States Department of Agriculture on the Plymouth County Extension Service to provide residents with resources and programs relating to agriculture, including a growing 4-H program.
- Regionalizing public safety training - including expanding the fire training facility in Plymouth County, saving our communities thousands of dollars in training costs.
- Preserving and maintaining county historical records, including records dating back to the Plymouth Colony.
- Administering grants and special programs authorized by state and federal law, including ARPA funding.
In addition to the Commissioners, Plymouth County has elected officials including the Treasurer and Register of Deeds. Although the Sheriff is elected by county voters, the Sheriff's Office operates as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Likewise, the Clerk of Courts serves as the clerk to the Commissioners while functioning as a state official under the Massachusetts court system.
