Describe the changing responsibilities of county governments in the United States

What will be an ideal response?

An ideal response would be:
The traditional functions of counties include law enforcement, highway construction and maintenance, tax collection and property assessment, recording of legal papers, and administration of welfare programs. Until recently, counties were convenient subdivisions that largely carried out policies established elsewhere—typically in the state capital. During the past generation, however, although counties in a few states have given up some of their responsibilities, in most others, especially in the South, they have taken over from the states such urban functions as transportation, water and sewer operation, and land use planning. Elsewhere, cities are contracting with counties to provide such joint services as employee training, law enforcement, and corrections, and in some instances, cities and counties are merging some governmental functions such as local public education.