What a Supervisor Does

The County

There are 15 cities in the County of Santa Clara, ranging from Palo Alto in the north, to Gilroy in the south, encompassing 1,312 square miles. A population of nearly 1.7 million makes it the largest of the nine Bay Area counties, and the fourth largest county in the State. Santa Clara County’s population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of about 900,000 people.

The District

Santa Clara County’s District Three includes the cities of Milpitas and Sunnyvale, and the Alviso, Berryessa and Evergreen areas of San Jose. Like the rest of the County, District Three has a culture rich in its history and ethnic diversity. The County’s official web site says over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here.

The Board

There are five Supervisorial Districts in the County of Santa Clara. Voters who reside within the boundaries of each specific district elect their Supervisors to four-year terms. By law, Supervisors are limited to three terms in office. The position of Chairperson rotates annually among the five members. Being a Supervisor is a full-time job.

The Board appoints certain department heads, including a County Executive, who administers the daily workings of government, including directing a large and diverse workforce. The voters elect some of the other major department heads, including the District Attorney, Sheriff, and Assessor.

The Role

All of California's 58 counties serve a dual role. Santa Clara County Supervisors oversee a vast array of municipal services, including some roads, parks and recreation, law enforcement, emergency response services and libraries. The County also serves as a delivery channel for many State services, such as public health, welfare, foster care, correctional facilities and elections.   

Supervisors also make decisions about user fee programs and facilities, including the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and County airports.