County Officials

Elected Officials

Board of County Commissioners:  The County is governed by a board of five members elected for four-year terms. The Commissioners make policies regulating the functions of the many departments and see that these are carried out. Responsibilities of the Board are: levy taxes, appropriations, authorize bonds, set salaries, approve bills, accept bids, and approve the annual county budget, just to mention a few. This Board meets the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. All county meetings are open to the public. Approximately 250 employees are engaged in the operation of the government of Burleigh County.

Auditor/Treasurer:  The Auditor serves as the County's chief financial officer and custodian of certain court records and documents. The major office functions are county accounting, county property tax administration, election administration, and the preparation of the annual budget. The Treasurer has custody of all county funds, collects taxes and disburses funds, invests county funds, reconciles bank statements, and mails out real estate statements. The Treasurer also serves as custodian of certain county school district funds.

Recorder:  This office is responsible for filing and recording documents that pertain to personal and real property. The office is also required to maintain a permanent record of these documents which can include but is not limited to deeds, mortgages, leases, easements, plats, crop liens, state and federal tax liens, and a variety of other miscellaneous instruments. Other duties include maintaining non-judicial records, issuing marriage licenses and passports, and officiating civil marriage ceremonies. Most of these records are open to the public.

Sheriff: Office functions are separated into field services, staff services and corrections. The office provides law enforcement services to Burleigh County, including patrolling of County roads, investigating crimes in the County, maintaining the County jail and criminals therein, serving official papers of the courts, and responding to County emergencies.

State's Attorney:  This office represents the County in civil litigation and prosecutes offenders of state laws. This office also provides legal advice and opinions to the County.

Appointed Officials

Accountant:  The Accountant makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners, implements its policies, manages the buildings/grounds staff to assure effective delivery of county services.

Emergency Management Director:  The Emergency Management Director has the day-to-day authority and responsibility for overseeing emergency management programs and activities.

Engineer:  This office is responsible to provide a safe, well maintained county road and bridge system that will ensure reliable and convenient access for Burleigh County residents, and to promote economic development of the area. All public roads not part of the federal, state, or county system are maintained by individual townships.

Extension Agent:  This is the county office of the NDSU Extension program mission is to improve the quality of life through education and service.

Human Resource Director: This office is responsible for recruitment and selection of employees as well as counseling them regarding compensation and benefits, grievances, employment rules, and other matters. In addition, this office advises the Board of Commissioners and Department Heads regarding personnel policies, rules, laws, and regulations.

Human Service Zone (Social Service) Director: The staff has about 90 authorized / budgeted positions, which include social workers, eligibility specialists, administrators, homemakers, and support staff. The department has been designated by law to provide relief for the poor and related services to the citizens of Burleigh County. The two major program areas are social services and economic assistance. The agency is directly responsible to the Burleigh County Social Services Board comprised of two county commissioners and five citizen members.

Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit: This office establishes paternity, locates absent parents and establishes, enforces, and reviews child support orders. All services are automatically provided to families who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Identical services are also provided for non-AFDC families upon request.

Tax Equalization Director and County Assessor:  This office supervises, instructs, and assists city and township assessors with fair market values for all agricultural, commercial, and residential property of the county. They levy and collect taxes on all mobile homes in cities and rural areas of Burleigh County.

Veteran's Service Officer:  This department works with veterans and families of veterans within local, state, and federal laws. The office provides assistance with pensions, military records, VA benefits, burial and death payments, and proof of service. The office not only provides services to veterans, but also widows, orphans, and dependents of veterans.