The five-member board of county commissioners is the governing body of Escambia County. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms by voters within their respective districts. The powers delegated by the state legislature are exercised by enactment of ordinances and resolutions, setting policy and through the county administrator, giving direction to county departments, commissions and agencies.
As the chief administrative officer of the county, the county administrator is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. It is the administrator's responsibility to implement the day-to-day operations of county government, including overseeing the county departments of Budget, Extension Services, Community & Media Relations, Corrections, Facilities Management, Human Resources, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Public Works, Neighborhood & Human Services, Extension Services, Fire-Rescue, Purchasing, Building Inspections, Information & Technology, Natural Resources Management, Library Services, and Waste Services. Approximately 1,650 people are in employed in these departments and fall under the county administrator’s leadership.
The county’s total budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17 was more than $436 million which allows Escambia County to provide a full range of services. This includes the construction and maintenance of highways, streets, and other infrastructure, as well as fire protection, emergency management, health and social services, emergency medical services, landfill operation, mass transportation services and parks and recreational programs.