Originally established in each sheriffdom to collect tax, they later took on much of the responsibility for the local government of the counties of Scotland.
In that year an act was passed providing that the repair of highways and bridges should be the responsibility of "the several shires and burghs... within their respective bounds".
The sheriff of each shire was given the power to compel the commissioners of supply and justices of the peace to convene and agree funding and allocation of labour for road repairs.
[4] In 1890, as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, virtually all of the powers and duties of the commissioners passed to the newly created county councils.
The commissioners continued to exist, however, meeting once a year to elect a convener and to appoint members to the Joint Standing Committee that was responsible for the county constabulary.