Highlands County is governed by five elected County Commissioners and an appointed County Administrator . The County Administrator and the Assistant County Administrator have executive powers to implement the policies and procedures set forth by the Board.

The County Administrator manages an annual budget in excess of $100 million dollars and oversees more than 350 county employees in nearly 30 departments, divisions and offices. Together, the board and the county administrators work to provide quality services, programs and information to the more than 90,000 residents throughout Highlands Count y