Goal 3 – North Carolina Local Government – Counties & Municipalities Duplin County – North Carolina

County Government – Duplin County The General Assembly has divided NC into 100 counties. A county is the largest territorial subdivision of a state. County Government: The major governing body is the board of county commissioners; they set county tax rates, approve the county budget, and establish county policies The elected board of County Commissioners hires a County Manager, (HIRED position) someone who oversees the day-to-day operations of the county and prepares the county budget to present to the Board of Commissioners.

County Government Officials Clerk of Court- Elected position, guides the county court system (NC Superior and NC District levels) County Sheriff- elected position -- maintain the county jails and is the head law enforcement official for the county. Role & Jurisdiction: patrol and perform criminal investigations “OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS” (Unincorporated areas) Register of Deeds – Elected position, records all legal documents such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property deeds.

County Government Officials District Attorney- Elected position, they represent the state in all criminal cases at the NC Superior, District, and/or Juvenile divisions. Public Defender- Represents the lower income individuals who have been accused of a crime.

State Mandated Boards – Independent Boards The General Assembly has created independent boards to oversee specific services the state requires counties to provide They set local policy and hire administrators for the Board of Education, Board of Elections, mental health, public health, social services, alcoholic beverage control, and soil and water conservation

State Mandated Boards – Independent Boards Board of Education- members are elected by the citizens of the county to provide educational leadership in the local public school system. Responsibilities: Prepare a budget, hires a superintendent, follow state policies, hire administrators, set the school calendar. Some counties have more than one public school system, or Local Education Agency (LEA); NC has 100 counties but 116 public school systems (100 county, 16 city) – Example: “Clinton City Schools”

Special Districts The special district is a unit of government that deals with a specific function, such as school districts, water supply or transportation Special districts are the most numerous types of local government because in some states several of them overlap most cities A board or commission, which may be elected or appointed, runs a special district; it has the power to collect taxes or fees for services it provides

Educational Issues North Carolina Educational Lottery, in 2005 Governor Mike Easley signed House Bill 1023 which enacted a NC Lottery and allocated revenue towards education. Pro’s NC was the last state on the eastern seaboard to legalize an education lottery. It is a way to supplement the state budget and education. Con’s Gambling is immoral, the state lottery will attract players from lower-income households and it’s a tax on the poor.

Other Educational Issues Public Schools, Private Schools, Charter Schools, School of Choice, Magnet Schools, Voucher Programs, Free Community College Tuition, EOC’s/Standardized testing, Class sizes, redistricting. SO IN SHORT, WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES!!! Charter Schools- Public schools funded by state tax dollars, expanding as a public school option but do not have to meet the same requiremetns (more like a private school) Magnet Schools- Public schools to diversify race, and improve academic standards.

North Carolina Revenue Sources State Revenue: Where does NC get its money? #1- Income Tax- money taking out of an individuals paycheck. Tax rate is determined by the General Assembly. #2- Sales Tax- Consumers pay a sales tax whent hey purchase goods in NC. Most fair type of tax.

North Carolina Revenue Expenditures NC Expenditures: Where does my money go? #1 Education- Public Schools (K-12), community colleges and universities. Others: Health and Human Services (social services, medicaid, etc.) Justice and Public Safety (crime control and prevention, juvenile programs, etc) Other- State Health Plan, Emergency Fund, Natural Resrouces, etc.

North Carolina County Revenue County Revenue: Where do counties in NC get their money from? # 1 Property Tax- largest source of county revenue, paying a tax on property that you own. County Expenses: Where does my money go? # 1 Education (K-12) #2 Human Services- Medicaid, foster care, social services, etc. Side note: Federal Grants in Aid- the federal government provides grants in aid to help states, counties, and towns. Examples: building highways, social services, etc.

Towns, cities, and municipalities Local Government Towns, cities, and municipalities

Types of Local Government Municipalities are cities, towns, or villages; every local government structure has a legislative and an executive branch; many have a judicial branch Every local government can raise money through taxes and spend public funds; each can set and implement local public policies

Types of Local Governments What is needed to have a local government? Town or City Charter. A charter is a document that gives a city or town the authority to act as a local government and explains how the town will be governed. The charter outlines basic rules for that municipal government The General Assembly grants all town charters.

Local Government’s Incorporated- An area “inside” the city or town limits. Law enforcement official for a town, Chief of Police (hired) they have jurisdiction “inside” the city limits or a town. Unincorporated- Any portion of a county that lies “outside” of the city or town limits. Law enforcement official for a county, Sheriff (elected) and Sheriff Deputies (hired) they have jurisdiction and investigate crimes outside of the city limits, within the county.

Law Enforcement Jurisdictions State Trooper- Statewide jurisdiction, including patrolling the interstate highways. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)- Investigates state crimes. (murder, state laws, etc.) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)- Investigates federal crimes. (kidnapping, tax evasion, federal laws, etc.

Who runs municipal government? City/Town government is run by an elected Town Board and possibly a hired City/Town Manager. The Town Council makes decisions for the municipality/local government. Local laws are called Ordinances. An elected Mayor presides over the Town Council and is the chief executive for local government, they enforce local laws—ordinances.

Council Manager vs. Mayor Council Council-Manager Plan Most municipalities with a population over 1,000, hire a professional manager to administer policies. Under this “council-manager” system, the city/town manager is responsible for day-to-day operations and prepares the local budget; this is the most common system in NC

Council Manager vs. Mayor Council Mayor-Council Plan: Most common form of government for towns with less than 1,000 people. The elected town board members do not hire a manager, and they, along with the mayor, make and enforce/carry out all of the decisions for the municipality.

Local Government Terminology Annexation is the name of the process of bringing unincorporated land and its residents into an existing municipality Residents request annexation because they need municipal services, or if land is developed near a municipality officials decide they need to provide services to the area (examples: trash pick-up, fire/ems, water and sewage, etc.) Referendum- an election where citizens vote directly to “approve or reject” a local law or issue. Zoning Laws- where a local government “regulates land use” – land is zoned as commercial (meaning for businesses) or residential (meaning for houses)