Class is in session, San Jose. We’re teaching SJ GOV 101, where we break down different aspects of our local government so we can become engaged citizens who create healthier (and more effective) communities.

For today's lesson, we're discussing the differences between city and county services — because let's be honest, they can get muddled sometimes.

🏛️ Santa Clara County

The county of Santa Clara is one of California's 58 counties and it encompasses San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Campbell, Cupertino, Milpitas, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Mountain View, Saratoga, and Palo Alto.

When it comes to countywide services, you can expect to find those related to health + welfare, social, and criminal justice programs. On the county's website, you can:

Find — public + property records, restaurant inspection reports, tuberculosis (TB) screening locations
Request — birth and death certificates, medical marijuana ID cards, fingerprint appointments, adult immunization + travel vaccines
Apply for — child support services, financial + food assistance, landscape permits, marriage licenses
Report — child abuse, county-maintained road issues, environmental health violations, pest infestations

🏙️ City of San Jose

Within San Jose's boundaries, our city is responsible for services like police + fire, parks, public works, water, animal control, waste, and libraries. On the city's website, you can:

Find — city job openings, affordable housing, collection schedule, parks and rec activities + programs, adoptable pets
Learn about — rent control, emergency preparedness, what to recycle, where to access public Wi-Fi
Report — abandoned vehicles, graffiti, illegal dumping, code violations, crime
Pay — invoices for city services + fees, citations and parking tickets, library fines and late fees, development or code permits

So, how was that for a civic lesson? Let us know what other areas of our local government you'd like us to explore next.