Lee County, Florida, is a political subdivision of the State of Florida governed by the State Constitution and general laws of the State of Florida. It was founded in 1887 and became a Charter County upon the enactment of its County Charter approved by the voters on November 5th, 1996 and effective as of January 1st, 1997.

The five-member Board of County Commissioners (the ‘Board’) is the legislative and governing body of the County. Each County Commissioner is elected at large for a four-year-term of office, and each Commissioner represents and resides in one of the five Commission Districts. The Board elects a Chairman who serves as its presiding officer. The County Manager, County Attorney and the Hearing Examiner report to the County Commissioners.

The County Manager, the chief executive officer of the County, is appointed by and serves under contract to the Board. This official is directly responsible to the Board for administration and operation of operating departments, divisions and offices. These include County Administration, Human Services, Visitor & Convention Bureau, Community Development and Public Works which oversees Transportation, Utilities, Solid Waste, Natural Resources and Construction and Design. Also among the operating departments, divisions and offices are twelve independent divisions reporting to County Administration – Purchasing, Public Resources, Administrative Services, Public Safety, Library, Parks and Recreation, Transit, Economic Development, Animal Services, County Lands, Smart Growth and Sports Authority.

The County Manager is responsible to the Board for the execution of all Board policies.