Local Government Chapter 24

Introduction Section 1-2 Approximately 86,000 units of local government serve the people of the United States.  Local government assumes many forms, such as counties, townships, municipalities, and special districts.  Today three of every four people in the United States live in an urban area, either in a central city or a surrounding suburb.  The rest of the people are served by smaller units of local government. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

Created by the State Section 1-3 Although the United States has a strong tradition of local self-government, local governments have no legal independence.  Local governments are entirely dependent on the state governments under which they exist.  State constitutions usually set forth the powers and duties of local governments, may describe the form of government a locality may adopt, and may regulate the kinds of taxes that local communities may levy. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

Types of Governments Section 1-4 The United States has four basic types of local government:  county  township  municipality  special district  All four do not exist in every state, and their powers vary from state to state. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

Section 1-5 The County The county is normally the largest territorial and political subdivision of a state and is found in every state except Connecticut and Rhode Island.  In Louisiana counties are called parishes, and in Alaska they are called boroughs.  Counties of the United States display tremendous variety in size and population. County governments also vary considerably in power and influence. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

Structure of County Governments Section 1-7 Structure of County Governments States provide county governments with a variety of organizational structures.  A county board has the authority to govern most counties.  State law strictly limits the legislative powers of county boards. For the most part, county boards decide on the county budget, taxes, and zoning codes.  In many counties the county board has both executive and legislative powers. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

Structure of County Governments Section 1-9 Structure of County Governments (cont.) These officials may include:  county sheriff  attorney  clerk  coroner  recorder of deeds  treasurer  auditor  assessor  surveyor  superintendent of schools Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

County Officers All Counties MUST have a Sheriff County Clerk Treasurer May also have (but not required) Coroner Recorder Assessor Auditor All serve a 4 year term!

Section 1-11 The Township Townships exist as units of local government in fewer than half the states.  The activities that township governments undertake vary from state to state.  In states such as Nebraska and Missouri, the primary function of township government is road building and road maintenance.  In Pennsylvania, townships provide a wide array of government services, including police and fire protection. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

The Municipality Section 1-15 A municipality is an urban unit of government–a town, borough, city, or urban district that has legal rights granted by the state through its charter.  The first charters were much like charters for private corporations, except that towns and cities were much more narrowly controlled.  Each municipality had an individual special charter until state legislatures began to pass general laws after 1850. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

The Municipality (cont.) By the twentieth century, most states divided municipalities into classes depending on their population.  In this way they could provide each class a more standard type of charter. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Section 1-16

The Special District The special district is a unit of local government that deals with a specific function, such as education, water supply, or transportation.  Special districts are the most common type of local government, and they deal with a wide variety of special services. Ex. School Board, Park Board, Civic Center, Authority Board, and Library Board

3 Forms of Local Government

The Mayor-Council Form The oldest and most widely used form of municipal government is the mayor-council form. Two main types of mayor-council government exist, depending upon the power given the mayor: the strong-mayor system and weak-mayor system.

Strong Mayor System the mayor usually has the power to veto measures the city council passes.  many of the mayor’s actions may not require council approval.  the mayor can appoint and fire department heads and high-ranking members of the municipal bureaucracy.  the mayor can prepare the municipal budget, subject to council approval. the mayor can propose legislation to the city council.  the mayor usually serves a four-year term. 

Weak Mayor System the mayor has only limited powers.  the mayor has little control over the budget or the hiring and firing of municipal personnel.  the city council makes most policy decisions.  the mayor’s veto power is limited.  the mayor usually serves only a two-year term.

Commission Form The commission form of municipal government combines executive and legislative powers in an elected commission, usually composed of five to seven members. Each commissioner heads a specific department and performs executive duties related to that department. The most common departments are police, fire, public works, finance, and parks.

Council-Manager Form Under a council-manager form of government, legislative and executive powers are separated. The council of between five and nine members acts as a legislative body and makes policy for the municipality. The City Manager… appoints and fires municipal workers. prepares the budget. runs the day-to-day affairs of the city. Carbondale

Financing Local Government Property Tax Local Income Tax Fines and Fees Government-owned Businesses

Property Tax Today property taxes are the most important source of revenue for local governments, accounting for more than two-thirds of all their tax revenues.  Property taxes are collected on real property and personal property:  Real property includes land and buildings.  Personal property consists of such things as stocks and bonds, jewelry, furniture, automobiles, and works of art.

Property Tax cont. Most local governments now tax only real property. If personal property is taxed at all, the rate is usually very low. c The process of calculating the value of the property is called assessment.  The market value of a house or a factory is the amount of money the owner may expect to receive if the property is sold.

Other Local Revenue Sources Other local revenue sources for local governments include… local income taxes sales taxes fines and fees bonds government-owned businesses.

Infrastructure Transportation networks, public buildings, and utilities such as sewer lines make up what is known as the infrastructure of a city. Roads Sidewalks Bridges Water Sewer Trash How do cities afford all these? – Sim City Project