County and City Governments (Local Governments) C&G.2.1 – Analyze the structure of state and local governments. C&G.2.2 – Summarize the functions of state and local governments.

Local Governments Procedure to establish listed in Article VII of NC Constitution Charter – document granted permission to incorporate (set up) a local gov’t – given by NC General Assembly 2 main types in NC: 1. county 2. city (municipality) other types: 3. town 4. village (township)

Incorporated Areas in Granville County CitiesTowns

A. County Governments 1.NC has 100 counties = 100 County Governments 2.County government is run by an ELECTED board of county commissioners and a hired county manager (person to run day-to- day operations). a) makes decisions for the county, carries out decisions, manages a budget, power to levy taxes b) passes laws for the county (ordinances) 3. Clerk of Court: employee of the state, guides the county court system 4.Sheriff: monitors the county jails, only provide police patrol and criminal investigations for the areas outside of the city * Elected (usually to 4 year term) 5.Register of Deeds: record legal documents (birth & death certificates, marriage licenses, property deeds) Other county officials: 1. Medical Examiner (aka Coroner) – looks into suspicious deaths 2. County Assessor – determines value of (assesses) property which is to be taxed

6. State-mandated boards: appointed at the county level, but required by the state a) ABC Board: Controls the manufacture, transportation, sale, and consumption of alcohol b) Board of Education: provide leadership in local public school (sets and adopts a budget, follows policies of state board, hires administrators, makes decisions about textbooks, sets the local school calendar) c) Board of Elections: registers voters and manages elections d) Mental Health: provide psychiatric services, treatment for substance abuse, schools for the emotionally challenged e) Public Health: provides immunizations & health services for those who can’t afford it, educates local public on health-related issues f) Social Services: Aids low-income families, child abuse, foster care, adoption, family counseling

B. City (Municipal) Governments 1.Run by an ELECTED City Council (Board of Aldermen) and a hired city manager a) makes decisions for the city, carries out the decisions, manages a budget, power to levy taxes b) passes laws for the city (ordinances) 2.Mayor: ELECTED official that presides over City Council and acts as spokesperson for the city 3. Council-Manager Plan: a manager is hired to run the day to day operations - - most common in NC

4.Mayor-Council Plan: does not hire a manager; mayor and council runs all activities and makes all decisions Strong Mayor-council Weak Mayor-council -elected by the people -selected by the council -holds many powers -powers are limited -city council = legislative authority -city council = legislative & executive -dept heads selected by mayor -dept heads directly elected -administrative head of city -no head, power divided -designed for larger cities -designed for smaller cities 5. Chief of Police: provides law enforcement for the citizens of that city he/she is employed with

C. Other Forms of Local Gov’t 1.Towns – usually governed by town councils – (townships) comprised of elected officials 2.Villages – smallest form of local gov’t 3.“Metropolis” – large cities  includes city and (metropolitan plan of gov’t) its suburbs *** home-rule – for very large cities 4. Special districts – set up for the implementation of a specific service ex: school district, fire district, soil and water conservation