1. c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.
Local Government
SSGC5: The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia
a. Explain the origins, functions, purposes, and differences of county ad city governments in Georgia.
b. Compare and contrast the weak mayor-council, the strong mayor-council, and the council-manager forms of city government.
c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.
d. Evaluate the role of local government working with state agencies to administer state programs.

2. The Three Forms of Local Governments
Counties
Cities
Special Districts

3. Counties
Counties were created by the state legislature to serve a districts for carrying out state laws and programs.

4. The County Governing Body
The county government is led by its county board of commissioners
Commissioners are elected by county voters and serve 4 year terms
County Governments are set up to complete:
County Policies
Adopt county ordinances (laws)
Determine the county’s budget and tax rates
Provide county services

5. County voters also elect:
The Sheriff
The Tax Commissioner
The Clerk of the Superior Court
The Judge of the Probate Court
The County Commissioners appoint a county administrator, county manager, or a Chairman of the Board who will carry out day-to-day operations of the government.
Paulding County’s Chairman of the Board: David Austin

6. City Governments Municipality- A city operating its own government
Cities are established by a charter from the state legislature because people living in that area want certain services that the county does not provide such as:
Police protection
Business licenses
Street maintenance
Traffic control
Water and sewer systems
Municipality- A city operating its own government

7. Three Types of City Governments
Strong- Mayor-Council
Weak-Mayor-Council
Council-Manager System
Mayor-Council: Divides the power between an elected city council and an elected mayor
Council= Passes laws (city’s legislative branch)
Mayor=Enforces the laws passed by the council and has the power of veto (city’s chief executive )

8. Three Types of City Government
Strong-Mayor-Council
Weak-Mayor-Council
Council-Manager
Mayor has a great deal of power and influence over the council
Council makes laws and policies
City manager (hired by council) oversees day-to-day city operations and appoints heads of city departments
Department heads report to city manager who reports to council
Mayor’s powers are very limited
Rarely gets veto power
Mayor is more of a figurehead

9. Special Purpose Districts
City and county governments are general-purpose forms of local government meaning they exist for many different reasons.
Special Purpose Districts
There are two types of Special Purpose Districts
The 3rd type of local government
Set up by the legislature of a city or county ordinance for a single purpose
School Districts
Special Districts

10. School Districts Each school district has is own elected
State and federal governments provide money and make rules for public education
Local school districts are in charge of the day-to-day responsibilities for running the schools
Each school district has is own elected
school board which decides:
what the budget should be.
where the schools should be built.
sets the curriculum.
hires the superintendent to run the schools.

11. Special Districts Special Districts provide a necessary services.
Usually has the power to tax.
Run by a governing board which may be elected or appointed.
Provide such services as:
Fire Protection
Ambulance Services
Libraries
Transportation
(Ex. MARTA)
College Police Departments

12. Advantages Disadvantages
Offer efficient way to respond to an urgent problem
Can readily borrow money for its projects
They can charge fees to users and raise money to pay back the funds borrows
Allows local governments to provide a service without having to raise taxes
Disadvantages
Usually don’t receive any publicity and their governing boards are rarely elected which means they may not be responsive to public opinion
If there are too many of them (each serving their own purpose) they may not work well with each other

13. Revenue- money that the government makes
Tax Revenue
Revenue- money that the government makes
Georgia’s General Assembly determines how revenue will be collected.
The Department of Revenue is a state executive agency which administers and collects most of the state’s revenue.
The Governor is the state’s budget director.

14. State: Income tax and sales tax Local: Property and sales tax
Tax Revenue
Main source of tax revenue for Georgia:
State: Income tax and sales tax
Local: Property and sales tax
Different revenue sources:
Taxes
Fees
Lottery funds

15. State: Income tax and sales tax Local: Property and sales tax
Tax Revenue
Different revenue sources:
Taxes
Fees
Lottery funds
Main source of tax revenue for Georgia:
State: Income tax and sales tax
Local: Property and sales tax

16. Where does our state spend the money it collects?

17. Where does our state spend the money it collects?

18. Local Government Ticket out the Door
Your city has decided to investigate the possibility of changing its form of government. You are a concerned citizen and you want what is best for your town but you know little about the various forms of city government. Being a good citizen, you decide to investigate the three major forms of city government because you want to know enough to speak at the open meeting scheduled to give citizens the chance to state their views on the possible change. The three forms of city government are:
Weak-Mayor Council
Strong-Mayor Council
Council Manager or City Manager
In one paragraph defend the type of government you think Dallas, Georgia should have. When supporting your decision, you need to also address why you decided against the other two forms.
(Make sure you consider the number of positions within each type, what type would work best in large cities and/or small towns, and the possible cost of running such a government.)