The counties were governed by a county governor (Lithuanian: "apskrities viršininkas"), appointed by the Minister of Interior. Being almost the only link between the central government and the local population, governors were first responsible for a wide range of duties. They were to collect all property left by the retreating German army, organize local government, recruit local army groups, ensure security and stability in the county, etc. In 1920 they were also entrusted to preside over county police. In 1931, in an effort to centralize the government, county governors also became the chairmen of a three-member county governing body (Lithuanian: "apskrities valdyba"), an executive institution of a county council. That way power in a county became centralized in the hands of a governor. County councils (Lithuanian: "apskrities taryba") were elected by local population for a three-year term. The number of representatives from a township depended upon the number of residents in that township.