Local Government Essential Questions: Why are there different forms of local government? Why do local governments collect and use taxes?

County Government The Georgia constitution limits Georgia to having 159 counties, (2 nd highest number in the U.S., behind TX). A county is a subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions The state constitution requires that all county governments be uniform (organized the same way). Most Georgia counties are run by an elected Board of Commissioners Fulton County is the largest county in population Ware County is the largest county in land size – includes the Okefenokee Swamp

Fulton County Fulton County operates under the commission-county manager form of government. 7 commisioners are elected. They appoint a county manager to carry out policies set by the county commission. Fulton County was formed from DeKalb County in In 1932, Milton and Campbell counties were consolidated with Fulton County, resulting in its current elongated shape. The county was the 144th county created in the state and was named after Robert Fulton who built the Clermont, a boat that revolutionized river travel and played an important role in the development of the South.

Fulton County or Milton County? State Senator Jan Jones wants to make Milton County again… sub- Jan-Jones-says- economy-No-1-for- legislature.html sub- Jan-Jones-says- economy-No-1-for- legislature.html

Sharing Services Some city and county governments share services Fulton County and city of Atlanta share zoning duties and a library system Fulton and DeKalb counties share a hospital authority

Officials in County Government Most counties have the following elected officials: –commissioners, superior court clerk, probate court judge, sheriff, tax commissioner, coroner Many officials are appointed: –county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc. Larger counties have more officials

City Government A municipality is a city with its own government A city exists as a political unit when it receives a charter from state legislature –Ex: city of Milton applied for a charter to become a city in 2006 City charter explains what the city government can do –police protection, maintain streets and sidewalks, license businesses, control traffic, provide water and sewage. Some city charters allow for a city-run school system

Forms of City Government Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia –elected council, elected mayor –weak-mayor system: mayor has little power, figurehead –strong-mayor system: mayor has power to run the city, propose budget, can veto council Council-Manager –voters elect council members –mayor may be elected or appointed –council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city City Commission –voters elect commissioners –commissioners form department heads of the city –mayor chosen by the commissioners

City-County Government Some city and county governments merge when the region becomes more urban Can reduce the cost of government Examples –Athens-Clarke County –Columbus-Muskogee County –Augusta-Richmond County

Special Purpose Districts Created for a specific job or task Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-governing Examples –school districts –MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) –Public Housing Authority –Georgia Ports Authority

Alpharetta have? Milton have? Which form of City Government does…. We will take a closer look in class to find out! Using Figures 80, 81 and 82 in your book on pages and the copies of each city’s charter, identify the form of local government used in each city

Alpharetta have? Milton have? Which form of City Government does…. Strong Mayor-Council Council - Manager

Funding Local Government Where do local governments get their money from? Sources of funding include state and federal grants and taxes on citizens The major source of funds (revenue) comes from local property taxes called ad valorem taxes Taxes are paid to local governments based on the value of the piece of real property (land, buildings, homes) or personal property motor vehicles, boats, trailers, airplanes, mobile homes)

Funding Local Government Question: What happens if property values fall? Revenue decreases Leads to budget cuts…schools and other services cut

Funding Local Government User fees: paid by the user of the service –Ex: water, sewage, recycling, libraries Sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county –7% sales tax in Fulton County = 4 % state, 1% SPLOST, 1% homestead exemption, and 1% MARTA. –General local option sales tax is a countywide sales tax that is added onto and collected at the same time as the required state sales taxes. –Special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds sales tax over 5 years to fund special projects such as parks or schools

Funding Local Government Voters can also approve bond issues –Government asks permission to raise money (borrow it) for a public project…like new downtown plan for Alpharetta! –Must be repaid with interest

Other Terms Urban area: city with a population over 2,500 or a city and its surrounding area with over 50,000 residents Rural Area: town or community of less than 2,500 people Metropolitan Area: central city of over 50,000 residents or a city and its surrounding counties with a total population of 100,000 or more (2/3 of all Georgians live in a metropolitan area) Urban Sprawl: generally unplanned and uncoordinated growth in an urban area