Plymouth County Services (cont'd)
Plymouth County Services
Plymouth County provides a number of services to its residents and to its constituent communities as detailed on this website. Some of these services are mandated by law; others are permitted through special legislation. Nearly all of the services provided by the County are funded through the budget with the revenues generated by the County.
Courthouse Maintenance
The County of Plymouth is responsible for the maintenance of several courthouses which are leased to the Commonwealth under the Court Reform Act of 1978. As of July 1, 2013, Plymouth County leases three buildings to the Commonwealth for court purposes:
- Brockton Superior Court
- Hingham District Court
- Wareham District Court
The County also leases the former Sheriff Department's Administration Building in Plymouth to Entergy as their emergency management center and an office building in Brockton to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.
Group Health Insurance
As allowed by MGL Ch. 32B §12, twenty-eight governmental entities within Plymouth County opt to purchase health insurance through the Mayflower Municipal Health Group (MMHG). MMHG has contracted with the County Treasurer to provide financial and benefits administration and services. As a self insured entity MMHG processes approximately $100 million in insurance claims annually for more than 10,000 municipal employees and their families, and has become one of the most successful self insured joint purchase groups in the country.
Group Purchasing
Plymouth County runs a bulk purchasing program for fuel oil and gasoline and diesel fuel in which twenty-three municipalities participate. Additionally, the county, conducts a cooperative bid for public safety and municipal vehicles. Over 250 governmental entities (as well as college, police, and fire departments) participate in this program.
Parking Ticket Processing
Plymouth County processes parking tickets for thirty-nine municipalities and governmental entities as a result of the revenue generated by this popular program. The Parking ticket program falls under the jurisdiction of the County Treasurer, with budgetary oversight by the County Commissioners.
Co-Operative Extension Service
Plymouth County, along with Barnstable County, operates one of two remaining county funded extension services in Massachusetts. The Plymouth County Extension Service works with the University of Massachusetts and the United Sates Department of Agriculture to provide the residents of Plymouth County with educational resources and programs relating to agriculture and landscape sciences. The Extension Service also supports a sizable and growing 4-H program, in which thousands of children across the county participate.
Public Safety
The County Commissioners have historically provided an annual grant to the Plymouth County Fire Chief's Training Association. In addition, the county government is working with the Plymouth County Fire Chiefs' Association, the Plymouth County Fire Training Association, and members of the county's legislative delegation to expand the fire training facility in Plymouth County, which will result in thousands of dollars in savings for our communities in training costs. The County also supports local police departments by administering the Department of Justice Byrne Grant Program that has brought over $500,000 to local police chiefs to provide additional services.
Aid To Tourism
Under Chapter 169 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, the County Commissioners have been authorized to make expenditures "for the purpose of promoting and advertising the recreational, industrial, agricultural and historical advantages" of Plymouth County. As permitted by law, the Plymouth County Development Council has been designated as the county's agent for that purpose. Under the auspices of the current Commissioners County's Grant has increased from $5,625.00 to $7,500.00 in support of tourism which is vital economic engine for our region.
Historical Records
The County Commissioners have custody of records for the County Government dating back to its establishment in 1685. Of even greater historical value, are the records for the Old Colony of Plymouth, which pre-date 1685 and are kept in a vault in the Commissioners' office.