Each county is governed by a Board of Commissioners consisting of three elected persons. The commissioners are elected from separate districts (in which they must reside) but by vote of the county as a whole. Commissioner districts must be redrawn at least once every 10 years, and may be redrawn in any odd-numbered year.

The terms of office of county commissioners are four years on a staggered basis. In general, the Board of Commissioners is responsible for the administration of county business. The commissioners may enact ordinances to meet local conditions and exercise other authority vested in the board by the legislature. The base salary for the commissioners is established by the salary ordinance.