High school students examine the structure, function, services, finances, politics, and budgeting of county governments provided in this unit containing five lesson plans. Students interview all available county officials to obtain the widest viewpoint possible on the structure and function of county government, then rank the functions as most and least necessary. They also identify which municipalities are controlled by which political parties and discuss how county government is affected by the two-party system. Detailed instructions for a simulation game on county budgeting outlines commissioner and official roles for negotiating a budget. Each lesson plan lists objectives, discussion questions, activities, and resources. (KC)