A County Administrator is employed to handle the administrative affairs of the County and to supervise a professional administrative and operations staff of over 350 people. Including the Sheriff's Department and all other constitutional officers, Highlands County Government employs about 750 people.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Department is the Chief Law Enforcement Agency for the county with each of the three municipalities having their own Police Department. These agencies provide excellent assistance to each other which is but one of several reasons that the already low crime rate in Highlands County has been steadily declining in recent years. This contributes strongly to the quality of life enjoyed by residents of and visitors to Highlands County.

The three incorporated municipalities in Highlands County include, from North to South, the City of Avon Park, the City of Sebring and the Town of Lake Placid, each of whom are governed by an elected Mayor and Council.

Operating from a modern City Hall, daily affairs of the City of Sebring are directed by a City Administrator. The city employs over 150 people of which over 50 are full-time police and over 25 are full-time firefighters. Regularly scheduled Tuesday evening meetings of the Sebring City Council are broadcast on cable television so that all citizens may be informed about city business. 
 

Built around the shores of beautiful Lake Jackson, the city owns and maintains six parks and recreation areas, three public beaches and a boat ramp. The focus of the city centers on Circle Park in downtown, a favorite and traditional location for many events and activities throughout the year. A city beach with shelters and a historic pier located behind the Cultural Center, and horseshoe pits located near the police station, provide additional opportunities for varied recreational pursuits. The city has a pedestrian and bicycle path around Lake Jackson, providing over 12 miles of safe walking and riding while enjoying the lakefront.  

Public safety, planning, zoning, water, and sewer are all important services provided by the City of Sebring, along with scheduled pick-up of trash and yard waste throughout all neighborhoods.

Two full-time employees administer the daily affairs of a seven-member Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), all of whom are appointed by the city council.

In cooperation with many other agencies and the private sector, the CRA has been responsible for transforming many neglected properties into places of beauty and great community pride. Facade grants offered by the CRA have been an added incentive to private property owners to improve the appearance of their buildings.