Local Government 4With respect to local government, states are like unitary nations--they allow counties, cities, towns, etc. to exist and set the terms for their existence. 4 Throughout the nation, there are 86,743 units of government and most are local: 43,043 counties 419,296 cities 416,666 townships 414,556 school districts 433,131 special districts (e.g. TID)

Local Government 4Within California, there are: 458 counties 4475 cities 4406 Redevelopment agencies 4995 School districts 44,787 Special districts 46,721 TOTAL

Counties 4Oldest form of government; imported from England  Function as Agent of the State: (financed largely by subventions)  Health (indigent health care; mental health; public health; alcohol & drug treatment)  Social services and general relief (welfare)  Temp. income & employment training  Elections  Courts & court related services

Counties  Functions of Countywide government (financed by own-source revenues)  General administration (also assessor, weights & measures)  Corrections (youth & adult)  Treasury, tax collection  Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)

Counties  Municipal Functions of Counties in Unincorporated Areas (financed by sales taxes)  Land use planning  Parks & recreation  Library services  Police & fire protection  Waste disposal  Development regulation  Flood control

Counties 4General law: state law prescribes limits of responsibility 4Board of Supervisors (5 members) oversees 4Members elected in nonpartisan elections 4Other elected officials: sheriff, district attorney, tax assessor 4Charter counties (12) operate under home rule 4Determine their own governing council and number of supervisors with approval of citizens 4San Francisco is unique--both city and county

Cities 4Citizens petition county for incorporation 4County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) must approve first 4General law cities 45 member city council, appointed city manager 4Charter cities (like Stockton) if population exceeds 3,500 and residents vote

City Services  Police & fire protection  Parks & recreation  Library services  Community centers  Water & sewer  Street lighting  Waste disposal  Utilities: gas& electric  Planning & development regulation  Economic development & redevelopment  Development & maintenance of infrastructure

Cities 4Elections: 4Most are at-large elections (Progressive reform) 4Some are returning to district elections to facilitate minority representation and reduce costs 4All are nonpartisan (Progressive reform) 4Mayors: Usually found in larger urban areas, elected at-large in nonpartisan elections

Other Local Governments 4School districts State oversees; local board gives direction 4Funded by state and local taxes--but text may overstate the state contribution (75%) 4Prop 98 (1988) mandated minimum spending levels for K-12 education State began using county property taxes to pay its mandated share of education costs

Other Local Governments 4Special districts -- 4,787 4Single purpose; revenue stream identified 4Municipal utility districts (MID, TID) 4Fire protection, sewer districts, etc. 4Redevelopment Agencies 4channel property taxes to locality outside Proposition 13 provisions

Other Local Governments 4Regional governments 4COGs-Councils of Governments for transportation planning between county (or counties) and cities 4e.g., Stan-COG 4ABAG--Association of Bay Area Governments for regional planning in Bay Area-- 4ASCG--Association of Southern California Governments