Kniss spoke about county operations and how they affect citizens' lives at the April 13 meeting, which was organized by the League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley.

"Very often we know what the city is doing for its citizens," she said. "We know what the state and federal government is doing. But many are not clear about the role of the county."

Kniss had a ready example to explain what she meant.

"If someone breaks into your house, you call 911. That is the first level of interaction with the county," she said.

Kniss explained that if the intruder is arrested later, the person will usually be transported to the county jail. "That area is the county's responsibility also," she said.

Kniss also talked about a program called the In Home Supportive System, through which family members are paid to stay home and look after needy family members.

"It is much cheaper to stay at home than in a nursing home," she said. "But substantial cuts are being made to that program."

She said that cuts in the Medicare budget had affected even affluent communities like Saratoga.

During the brief speech, Kniss talked about programs for the homeless, the juvenile justice system and other county programs.

"It is often said that the county takes care of the neediest and the naughtiest," said Kniss, referring to underprivileged juveniles and those serving time in jail respectively.

Kniss also talked about her career as a public health nurse and how it had helped her to be self-sufficient.

Shirley Hill, a member of the voters' league, said that the supervisor's speech had helped her understand the juvenile justice system better.

"It was good to hear from our supervisor," said Dale Hill, another league member.