They carry out the resolutions and guidelines of the Storting and government.
This is done first by the county governor performing administrative tasks on behalf of the ministries.
[1] In 1661, the government of Norway established Bratsberg as an amt (or county).
The county was subordinate to the Diocesan Governor of Christianssand.
On 1 January 2019, the office was merged creating the new office of County Governor of Vestfold og Telemark in preparation for the merger of the neighboring counties of Telemark and Vestfold to form Vestfold og Telemark county on 1 January 2020.