The main responsibilities of the county municipality included the running of 11 upper secondary schools as well as administering the over 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of county roadways, public transport system, 13 public dental clinics, nature/wildlife management, and culture/cultural heritage preservation.

The Governor was the representative of the King and Government of Norway in the county, functioning as the connection between the state and the municipalities.

The Vest-Agder county council (Norwegian: Fylkestinget) is made up of 35 representatives that were elected every four years.

The council essentially acted as a Parliament or legislative body for the county and it met several times each year.

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