LOCAL GOVERNMENT

County Governments County: the largest territorial and political subdivision of a state County: the largest territorial and political subdivision of a state Purpose: Make sure people have order, protection, and services Purpose: Make sure people have order, protection, and services County board of commissioners County board of commissioners Elected by residents of county to run a county Elected by residents of county to run a county Make rules to meet the needs of the community Make rules to meet the needs of the community Law enforcement: Sherriff Law enforcement: Sherriff

Municipal (City) Government Municipality (City)- smaller area within a county Municipality (City)- smaller area within a county Incorporated: a specific geographic area is a municipality (city) and has a charter Incorporated: a specific geographic area is a municipality (city) and has a charter Annexed: area previously unincorporated (not in the city) that is being incorporated (taken into the city) Annexed: area previously unincorporated (not in the city) that is being incorporated (taken into the city) City charter: a document that grants power to a local government (like a city constitution) City charter: a document that grants power to a local government (like a city constitution)

City Government Services provided by city governments: Services provided by city governments: Law enforcement Law enforcement Fire protection Fire protection Street repair Street repair Water and sewage systems Water and sewage systems Garbage pickup Garbage pickup Parks and recreation Parks and recreation Head Law Enforcement: Chief of Police Head Law Enforcement: Chief of Police

Mayor-Council Form Elections: Voters elect mayor and city council members Elections: Voters elect mayor and city council members Power: Power divided between branches Power: Power divided between branches Legislative: City Council Legislative: City Council Sets city policy, enacts laws (ordinances), adopts city budget Sets city policy, enacts laws (ordinances), adopts city budget Executive: Mayor Executive: Mayor Represents the city Represents the city Oversees and appoints heads of departments Oversees and appoints heads of departments Strong-mayor system: Mayor has strong executive powers (Exec Branch > Leg Branch) Strong-mayor system: Mayor has strong executive powers (Exec Branch > Leg Branch) Weak-mayor system: Mayor’s authority is limited (Leg Branch > Exec Branch) Weak-mayor system: Mayor’s authority is limited (Leg Branch > Exec Branch)

Council-Manager Form Elections: Voters elect the City Council and Mayor but DO NOT election City Manager (this is a hired position) Elections: Voters elect the City Council and Mayor but DO NOT election City Manager (this is a hired position) Power: Power divided between branches Power: Power divided between branches Legislative: City Council and Mayor Legislative: City Council and Mayor Makes policy, adopts ordinances, approves budget Makes policy, adopts ordinances, approves budget Executive: City Manager Executive: City Manager Recommends a budget, oversees city departments, deals with personal matters Recommends a budget, oversees city departments, deals with personal matters Mayor is more of a ceremonial leader Mayor is more of a ceremonial leader Most popular form of city government today in North Carolina Most popular form of city government today in North Carolina

Commission Form Elections: Voters elect 5 commissioners Elections: Voters elect 5 commissioners Power: Power is only held in one branch Power: Power is only held in one branch Legislative Branch: Commissioners Legislative Branch: Commissioners Commissioners perform executive duties for their particular department. Commissioners perform executive duties for their particular department. Meet together to pass city ordinances (laws) and make policy decisions Meet together to pass city ordinances (laws) and make policy decisions Executive Branch: None Executive Branch: None Commissioners: Commissioners: Each commissioner heads a major dept. such as police, fire, finance, health, public works Each commissioner heads a major dept. such as police, fire, finance, health, public works One commissioner chosen to be ceremonial mayor One commissioner chosen to be ceremonial mayor Not very popular because hard to run there is not one person in charge Not very popular because hard to run there is not one person in charge

Other Special District- A unit of government that deals with a specific function Special District- A unit of government that deals with a specific function Ex: School Board runs local education (WSFCS) Ex: School Board runs local education (WSFCS) Aldermen- people appointed/elected to represents districts within a city and work with the mayor and/or council Aldermen- people appointed/elected to represents districts within a city and work with the mayor and/or council Village- Smallest municipal (city) political unit Village- Smallest municipal (city) political unit Town- A municipal (city) political unit that is larger than a village and smaller than a city Town- A municipal (city) political unit that is larger than a village and smaller than a city Metropolis- Largest municipal (city) political unit made up of a central city and its surrounding suburbs Metropolis- Largest municipal (city) political unit made up of a central city and its surrounding suburbs