The County Commissioners are the Chief Executives of the County. They meet at 8:30 a.m. on the first three Tuesdays of each month, unless there are five Tuesdays in a month, then they meet the first four Tuesdays. The meetings are held in the Commissioners’ room at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 219 N. Main Street, Syracuse, Kansas. All meetings are open to the public.
County Commissioners are vested by Kansas State Statute 19-212 with both legislative and administrative powers and duties. Some of these duties and powers are:
- Pass legislation in response to local needs through home rule authority.
- Supervision of County property.
- Control of financial affairs of the County.
- Approval of the annual budget.
- Levying of County taxes
- Provide for adequate County government facilities.
- Adopt personnel policies and pay plans for all County offices.
- Construction and maintenance of County roads and bridges
- Approval of land use and zoning policies for the County.
- Organization of township following statutory procedures
- Appoint and direct County officers/staff in offices other than offices of elected officials
- Issuance of bonds and awarding of contracts
- Determine township boundaries
- Creation of special districts and incorporation of cities
- Set salaries of all County officials
- Make appointments to County boards
- Serve as County Board of Canvassers for elections
The Commissioners serve four-year terms, with two of the five Commissioners being elected in the same year, and the other three Commissioners elected two years later. Commissioner terms begin the second Monday in January after the general election in November.
The Board of County Commissioners represents all citizens of Hamilton County, regardless of their residence inside or outside of the city limits.
