County government consists of two branches; a Legislative Branch, the County Delegation, comprised of twenty-two elected Representatives, and an Executive Branch, consisting of three Commissioners.

The primary role of the County Delegation is to appropriate the necessary funds to operate the county. Many laws passed in Concord have a direct fiscal impact on county government. As lawmakers and county delegates, members of the County Delegation have the knowledge and insight of state law, which enables them to deal effectively with the financial ramifications state law has on their county.

The Commissioners are part-time elected officials responsible for overall supervision of county departments, buildings and land, and exercise budgetary oversight of all county expenditures. An annual county budget is prepared by the Commissioners and submitted to the County Delegation for final approval. The Cheshire County Commissioners meet weekly throughout the year to review county business.

The Executive Committee of the County Delegation conducts an in-depth review of the Commissioners proposed budget as submitted by the County Commissioners. After the Executive Committee review, their sometimes modified budget is presented to the full Delegation, who then vote on the appropriation of funds for the county’s annual budget. Minutes of County Delegation, Executive Committee and subcommittee meetings are maintained on this website and can be accessed by going to the Delegation Page and clicking on the desired year.

The County Administrator position is a creation of the Board of County Commissioners. Unlike city managers, County Administrators have no statutory authority. All authority vested in the county administrators is at the sole discretion of the Board of County Commissioners.

2025 Commissioner’s Budget Letter to the Delegation and Municipalities

2025 Commissioner’s Proposed Budget

2024 Adopted Budget

2023 Annual Report

New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law