Santa Clara County (Calif.). Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors was first authorized as the chief governing body of California counties by the State Constitution of 1849. In Santa Clara County, the first board took office in 1852. The size and powers of the board have varied over the years. Among board powers are general policy and administrative control over county affairs, management of elections, and the assessing and collecting of taxes. In 1951 Santa Clara County adopted a charter which authorized appointment of a county executive to oversee administration and which changed the role of the board to setting policy only.

From the description of Board of Supervisors records, 1861-1965. (Santa Clara County Archives). WorldCat record id: 502157754

Administrative History

The Board of Supervisors was first authorized as the chief governing body of California counties by the State Constitution of 1849. In Santa Clara County, the first board took office in 1852. The size and powers of the board have varied over the years. Among board powers are general policy and administrative control over county affairs, management of elections, and the assessing and collecting of taxes. In 1951 Santa Clara County adopted a charter which authorized appointment of a county executive to oversee administration and which changed the role of the board to setting policy only.

From the guide to the Board of Supervisors records, 1857-1993, (Santa Clara County Archives.)