The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of the 11 upper secondary schools with about 10,000 pupils.

[1] It manages all the county roadways, public transport, dental care, culture, and cultural heritage sites in the county.

[2][3] The Østfold county council (Norwegian: Fylkestinget) is made up of 35 representatives that are elected every four years.

The council essentially acts as a parliament or legislative body for the county and it meets several times each year.

The council is divided into standing committees and an executive board (fylkesutvalg) which meets considerably more often.