Counties (powiaty) form the second tier of local government in Poland's two-level administrative structure, with 380 such units existing across the country. These intermediate administrative divisions serve as a link between the national government and local municipalities, handling responsibilities that exceed the capacity of individual communes but don't require voivodeship-level oversight. Counties typically manage secondary education, healthcare facilities including public hospitals, public transportation infrastructure, consumer protection, and geodetic surveys. They also oversee certain social welfare programs, maintain county roads, and handle vehicle registration and driver licensing. Each county is governed by an elected council and an executive board, with a starost serving as the chief administrative officer. Major cities often function as city counties with powiat rights, combining municipal and county-level responsibilities under a unified administration.