Local government can be confusing, especially when there are dozens of elected officials that make decisions about your area. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide for Seminole County that outlines what each official does– and what they impact.

Constitutional Officers:

There are five constitutional officers for Seminole County. Constitutional officers serve four-year terms and Below, you can read about what their responsibilities include.

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

• The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in Seminole County manages court records, processes legal documents, and ensures transparency and accountability in county finances. They also audit county expenditures and financial operations.

If you need a copy of your marriage license or property deed, this office ensures those documents are available and accurate. If you're involved in a court case, they manage and process all related records. They also help ensure your tax dollars are used responsibly for community services like schools, roads, and public safety.

Seminole County Sheriff

• The Seminole County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, preventing crime, and operating the county jail. The Sheriff's Office also provides various community services, such as emergency response and public safety education.

The Sheriff's Office is responsible for responding quickly to emergencies. They also patrol neighborhoods to prevent crime and coordinate emergency response efforts to protect and assist residents during a disaster, like a hurricane. Additionally, they offer public safety education programs, such as drug prevention.

Seminole County Property Appraiser

• The Seminole County Property Appraiser assesses the value of all real and tangible personal property within the county for tax purposes. This office ensures that property assessments are fair, equitable, and in accordance with state laws, providing essential data for tax roll creation.

The property appraiser determines the value of your home, which impacts how much you pay in property taxes. If you believe your property is overvalued, you can appeal to their office for a reassessment. Their work ensures that property taxes are fair and equitable, helping to fund local services like schools and infrastructure. Additionally, they provide detailed property information, which can be useful if you're buying or selling a home.

Seminole County Tax Collector

• The Seminole County Tax Collector is responsible for the collection of property taxes, motor vehicle registration fees, and other state and local taxes and fees. This office also issues driver's licenses, hunting and fishing permits, and provides other related services to residents.

When you pay your property taxes, the tax collector’s office ensures the process is smooth and accurate. They handle your vehicle registrations, including license plates and renewals. If you need a driver's license or permit, you visit their office. The taxes they collect fund community services like public safety, schools, and road maintenance.

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections

• The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections administers all county, state, and federal elections held within the county. This office maintains voter registration records, oversees the electoral process, ensures compliance with election laws, and promotes voter education and participation.

The Supervisor of Elections office ensures that you can register to vote and update your voter information easily, so you're ready for Election Day. They organize and manage local, state, and federal elections, making sure voting is accessible, secure, and fair. They are also responsible for updating voter rolls and preventing fraud.

A branch office of the Seminole County Tax Collector, Altamonte Springs.

Board of County Commissioners

There are five county commissioners for Seminole County, representing each of the five districts. The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners is the legislative and policy-making body for the county. They serve staggered four-year terms, which means they are not all up for re-election at the same time. 

They are responsible for:

1. Passing Ordinances and Resolutions: They create and adopt local laws, regulations, and policies that govern the county.
2. Budget Approval: They approve the county's budget, determining how funds are allocated for various services and infrastructure projects.
3. Land Use and Zoning: They make decisions about land use, zoning changes, and development proposals, guiding the growth and development of the county.
4. Public Services Oversight: They oversee services such as public safety, transportation, parks, and recreation, ensuring they meet the needs of residents.
5. Economic Development: They work on initiatives to promote economic growth and attract businesses to the county.
6. Public Hearings and Community Engagement: They hold public hearings and meetings to gather input from residents and address community concerns.

County Commissioner meetings are open to the public and affect key county decisions.

Soil and Water Conservation District

The Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District focuses on promoting the conservation, management, and best use of soil, water, and related natural resources. There are four elected board members that serve for staggered four-year terms. 

 Their key responsibilities include:

1. Erosion Control: Implementing practices to prevent soil erosion, which helps maintain soil health and prevents sediment from polluting waterways.
2. Water Conservation: Promoting efficient water use practices and protecting water quality to ensure sustainable water resources for the community.
3. Public Education: Educating the public, farmers, and landowners about conservation techniques and best practices for managing natural resources.
4. Technical Assistance: Providing guidance and support to landowners and farmers on implementing conservation projects and practices.
5. Resource Management Plans: Developing and promoting plans that balance land use with the conservation of natural resources to ensure long-term environmental health.

Seminole County's Soil and Water Conservation District ensures the protection of natural resources.

The Florida Senate

As of 2024, District 10 covers all of Seminole County.

The Florida Senate is authorized by the Florida Constitution to create and amend the laws of the U.S. state of Florida, subject to the Governor's power to veto legislation. To do so, Legislators propose legislation in the forms of bills drafted by a nonpartisan, professional staff. Their constitutional powers include:

• Proposing legislation
• Drafting or amending bills
• Delaying or blocking legislation via prolonged debate, also known as a filibuster
• Oversight of the federal budget

State Representatives

As of 2024, Seminole County is covered by four state districts for the Florida House of Representatives. These districts are:

1. District 36
2. District 37
3. District 38
4. District 39

State representatives serve two-year terms for a maximum of four consecutive terms. Their primary responsibilities include:

1. Legislation: Proposing, debating, and voting on new laws and amendments to existing laws. They work on various committees to review bills and make recommendations to the full House.
2. Budgeting: Participating in the development and approval of the state budget, which allocates funds for public services and infrastructure.
3. Constituent Services: Representing the interests and concerns of their constituents by addressing issues, helping navigate state services, and advocating for community needs.
4. Oversight: Monitoring and overseeing the implementation of state laws and the performance of state agencies to ensure accountability and efficiency.
5. Public Policy: Engaging with the public, stakeholders, and experts to inform policy decisions and address key issues affecting the state.

City Councilmembers: 

City councilmembers serve as elected officials responsible for representing the interests of their constituents in local government. Their primary responsibilities include:

1. Legislation: Proposing, debating, and enacting local laws and ordinances that govern the city.
2. Budget Approval: Participating in the development, review, and approval of the city budget, which allocates funds for public services, infrastructure, and community projects.
3. Constituent Services: Addressing the concerns and needs of residents by providing assistance and resolving issues..
4. Policy Making: Developing and implementing policies that affect the city's operations, services, and development.
5. Oversight: Monitoring the performance of city departments and agencies to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in local government.
6. Community Engagement: Engaging with the public through meetings, forums, and other means to gather input, inform residents, and foster community involvement in the decision-making process.

City Mayors: 

The office of mayor is the ceremonial head of the city and the chief executive officer of the municipality. Six of the seven cities in Seminole County elect their mayor in addition to their commissioners. 

The mayor's duties include: 

• Presiding over meetings:  The mayor chairs City Commission meetings and may preside over other council meetings 
• Serving as an official head: The mayor is the official head of the city for ceremonial purposes and for serving civil process 
• Working with officials:  The mayor works with municipal officials and other leaders to oversee the day-to-day operations of the local government 
• Making decisions:  The mayor may have the power to hire and fire heads of municipal departments 

Most cities operate under a Commission/Manager form of government, where the mayor and four commissioners are an elected body that holds policy-making and legislative authority and the City Manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city.



School Board: 

The Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) School Board has five members who are elected at-large to four-year terms. The board's responsibilities include: 

• Overseeing operations: Managing the day-to-day operations of all public schools in the district 
• Setting policies: Creating and adopting educational policies, as well as district policies 
• Budgeting: Overseeing the annual public school budget, including teacher salaries 
• Student achievement: Ensuring students meet state standards and are prepared for success 
• Curriculum: Voting on textbooks, standardized teaching materials, and other curricula 
• Attendance zones: Establishing attendance zones for schools and regions, except for county-wide magnet schools 
• Transportation: Ensuring transportation is provided to students equitably and without discrimination 
• Other policies: Administering policies related to student medication, electronic resources, student conduct, and more 

The board's goal is to ensure that students are ready for the future.