The legislative body has a nine-member Council with three council members elected at-large and six elected by district. Council members from districts are elected for four-year staggered terms in partisan elections. At-large council terms are six years.  Council districts are reapportioned after each census.

The legislative Council's authority includes:

• The power to consider and adopt ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Consider and adopt an administrative code, policies, and procedures.
• Adopt rules governing the activities, meetings, and organization of the Council.
• Establish and adopt a budget, set and levy taxes, and establish fees.
• Fix the salaries of county officers and employees.
• Supervise internal audits and investigations.
• Conduct quasi-judicial hearings including serving as the Board of Equalization and final board of review regarding planning and zoning.
• Advise and consent to appointments by the executive branch.
• Override vetoes of the Executive by two-thirds vote.
• Supervise the conduct of county officers in accordance with state statute.
• Reapportion districts after each census.
• Divide the County into precincts and other districts as provided by law.
• Fill vacancies.
• Grant franchises.
• Provide for the development of County resources.
• Perform other legislative acts.