Rockland County was established in 1798 when it was separated from the County of Orange, a move…More necessitated by the problems inherent in trying to govern a large county that also was physically divided by the Ramapo Mountain Range. The great rock outcroppings jutting up through the earth and out over the mountainsides along the Hudson River gave Rockland its name.</p> <p>The early Dutch and Huguenot settlers fished, farmed, hunted and trapped, then found it necessary to rebuild and restore their county after it had been ravaged by Colonial and British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The county became an important brick-making, mining and ship-building center, with agriculture gradually becoming less and less prominent.     </p> <p>Today Rockland County's industrial base is made up of many small, diverse firms. With natural features such as mountains, lakes, ponds, streams and parks, Rockland County provides many recreational opportunities as well as a vast amount of water resources. A large portion of the county's relatively small area is devoted to parklands and recreation areas.<br />  <br />Until 1970, Rockland County was governed by a Board of Supervisors. Pursuant to the direction of the Supreme Court, the county adopted a reapportionment plan, and, as a result thereof, there was created in place of the Board of Supervisors an elected County Legislature. At a referendum held Nov. 6, 1984, the voters of Rockland County approved a Charter for the government of the county. On Jan. 1, 1986, the Charter and a new Administrative Code went into effect, which provided for an elected County Executive and Legislature. <br />  <br />The County of Rockland has, over the years, passed through a process of legislative change common to many American communities. While only a few simple laws were necessary at the time of the establishment of the county, subsequent growth of the community, together with the complexity of modern life, has created the need for new and more detailed legislation for the proper function and government of the county.</p> <p>The current County Legislature has 17 members. Harriet Cornell is chairwoman of the Legislature.</p>

The Rockland County Office of Weights and Measures /Consumer Protection; Terry Grosselfinger,…More Director, Joan O'Keefe, Deputy Director.</p> <p>The Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection was created in 1970. Its purpose is to protect consumers as prescribed by local law. Other duties are to:</p> <ul> <li>Receive and investigate consumer complaints regarding fraud or unfair dealings</li> <li>Educate consumers in Rockland programs.</li> <li>Assist in development of laws to protect and promote the interests of the Rockland County consumer public.</li> </ul> <p>This department is responsible for enforcing New York State Agriculture & Markets Laws. Some duties performed are:</p> <ul> <li>Annual scale inspections</li> <li>Gas station inspections</li> <li>Octane samplings</li> <li>Package checking</li> </ul> <p> </p>

The Rockland County Youth Bureau enriches the lives of all children, youth and families by…More promoting an array of positive development and prevention services.  The Youth Bureau's vision is to enrich the lives of all children, youth and families by promoting an array of positive youth development and prevention services. <br />  <br /> The Youth Bureau has served the communities of Rockland since 1974, as a department of county government.  The Youth Bureau is a public planning, funding, advocacy and coordinating agency for youth and family programs in the County of Rockland.  It is responsible for maintaining current information on youth needs, helping to enhance communication among youth serving agencies and allocating state funds.  All programs and services provided through the Youth Bureau are free of charge.<br />  <br /> The Youth Bureau supports a variety of contracted programs designed to provide quality comprehensive services to Rockland's children and youth.  Types of programs that are funded through the Youth Bureau range from child care education and services and counseling services to creative leisure time activities and substance abuse prevention.  The staff provides technical assistance to organizations and municipalities in the areas of program development, program management, monitoring and evaluation, financial planning and how to access public and private funding.</p> <p>Dennis Flemming is the executive director,<a href="mailto:flemingd@co.rockland.ny.us"> flemingd@co.rockland.ny.us</a></p> <p>Programs include the Youth Employment Program, Bridges Academy, Rockland County Youth Council, Rockland County AmeriCorps, Rockland Environmental Corps and the Literacy Corps.</p> <p>The bureau has a board that includes representatives from all five of Rockland's towns.</p> <p> </p>

H. Chris Kopf is Rockland County's commissioner of finance.

The department handles the County…More Government's:</p> <p><small>Accounting,</small> <small>Accounts Payable,</small> <small>Payment of County Employees, </small> <small> Auction of County Owned Property Acquired Through Foreclosure Process, </small> <small>Collection of Delinquent Taxes, and Installment Payments </small></p> <p><small>Preparation of Financial Statements of Rockland County </small></p> <p><small>Budget & Finance - 3rd Floor<br /> Tax & Real Property - 3rd Floor</small></p> <p>As a convenience to our taxpayers, the County of Rockland is now offering the ability to pay your delinquent/quarterly taxes online either with an electronic check or a credit card. There is no charge for paying by check and a <b> 1.8% fee for paying by credit card</b>. Making your tax payment online is fast, easy, and safe. It takes just six simple steps. In just a few minutes, your transaction will be complete.</p>

The Public Defender's Office represents the indigent in local and county courts in criminal matters.

James…More D. Licata<br /> </b>Public Defender<br /> <a href="mailto:LicataJ@co.rockland.ny.us">LicataJ@co.rockland.ny.us</a></p> <p><b>Clare McCue Cincotta<br /> </b>Deputy Public Defender</p>