Thursday March 19, 2015 Quiz Reminder Agenda Homework Quiz Reminder NC City and County Government Notes Open Note NC Quiz Tomorrow Parent Teacher Conferences/ Report Cards Tonight
Civics and Economics Day 123
Quiz Tomorrow 20 Question True/False or Multiple Choice on NC Government Tuesday- Government Structure Wednesday- NC Constitution Thursday (Today)- Counties and Cities You may use your handwritten notes. Any cellphones out, tablets, computers, computer printouts, etc. will not be allowed.
County and City Government Notes
County Government
Why do they matter? They make the biggest difference on your day to day life. School Water Quality Roads Sales tax Etc.
County Government Colonies were divided into counties to help carry out laws and collect taxes. Because farmers lived far apart, county business was conducted at a central place, reached by most people in a day’s wagon ride. This central place is called the county seat.
Counties were made by the General Assembly. (What branch is the General Assembly?) County lines were made in 1776 and changed until 1912. Now we have 100 counties!
North Carolina Counties www.sme082.com
Elected Positions in the County Register of Deeds Keeps records of all property transactions, marriages, births and deaths. Board of Elections Register voters and holds elections for federal , state, and local offices. County Sheriff Operates the jail for people awaiting trial and those convicted of minor crimes. Required to have space for district and superior courts.
County Services Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Social Services Done through county departments or volunteer EMS Squads Social Services Public Health Services Mental Health Services Safe disposal of solid wastes (Trash) Public Schools The single largest expenditure in a county budget.
Additional County tasks Building Inspections Law Enforcement (Sheriff) Fire protection Public Libraries Parks and Recreation Planning and zoning Water Supply Wastewater Treatment (Sewage)
Authority in Counties Voters choose the county commissioners, sheriff, and a register of deeds. Board of county commissioners shares the responsibility for setting county policy with other officials. State officials, sheriff, health services, social services, alcoholic beverage control. To provide services they need to raise funds (through taxes) and have to built into the budget, which is approve by the board of county commissioners.
Municipal Government
Municipal Government Municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) are legally incorporated within counties because people want to have more local decision making power. Municipalities are incorporated by the General Assembly who approves a charter. Charter sets the size of the municipality.
Municipal Services They share some of the same services as the county. Water Supply, waste treatment, police and fire protection, planning and zoning, etc. Larger municipalities provide more services. Airports Auditoriums Public Transportation Cemeteries Public Housing Traffic Control
From Local Government in North Carolina by Gordon Whitaker
Authority in Municipal Governments Voters elect a council, board of aldermen or board of commissioners. The Mayor is the head executive and is chosen two ways. Elected separately Chosen from within the city council. The board makes all official decisions including: Local tax rate, adopting the budget, passing ordinances, and regulating behaviors. Advisor boards are an option for citizens to give recommendations, but all final decisions are made by the municipality governing board.