Unit 8: Local Government Chapter 16: TB pgs Unit 8 Cover Page: NB pg. 106 Table of Contents: NB pg. 107 ©2005 Clairmont Press

Set Up Notebooks Essential Answers NB pg. 108 Essential Questions NB Pg. 109 Chapter 16: ©2005 Clairmont Press

Section 1: County Government TB pgs ESSENTIAL QUESTION NB pg. 109 How do county governments work?

County Government NB pg. 110 (NB ) Georgia has 159 counties, nearly 600 towns – each has a gov’t county: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions most Georgia counties - run by elected Board of Commissioners most counties set up similarly

Sharing Services TB 567 Some city & county gov’t share services Fulton County = home to city of Atlanta Fulton County & Atlanta share zoning duties and library system Fulton & DeKalb counties share a hospital authority Fulton County & Atlanta have separate school systems

Officials in County Government (TB 567) Most counties have the following elected officials:Most counties have the following elected officials: –commissioners, superior court clerk, probate court judge, sheriff, tax commissioner, coroner Many officials are appointed:Many officials are appointed: –county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc. Larger counties have more officialsLarger counties have more officials

Section 2: City Government and Special-Purpose Districts TB ESSENTIAL QUESTION NB 109 How do city governments work in Georgia?

City Government (TB ) municipality: a city with its own gov’t city receives charter from state legislature city charter explains what the city government can do –police protection, maintain streets & sidewalks, license businesses, control traffic, provide water & sewerage some city charters allow for a city-run school system

Forms of City Gov’t TB Mayor-Council: most common –elected council, elected mayor –weak-mayor system: mayor has little power, figurehead –strong-mayor system: mayor has power to run the city, propose budget, can veto council Council-Manager –voters elect council members –mayor may be elected or appointed –council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city City Commission –voters elect commissioners –commissioners form department heads of the city –mayor chosen by the commissioners

City-County Government NB pg. 111 (TB pg. 573) some city and county governments merge when the region becomes more urban can reduce the cost of government Examples –Athens-Clarke County –Columbus-Muskogee County –Augusta-Richmond County

Special Purpose Districts (TB pg ) Created for a specific job or taskCreated for a specific job or task Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-governingWithin certain guidelines, these districts are self-governing ExamplesExamples –school districts –MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) –Public Housing Authority –Georgia Ports Authority

Funding Local Government (TB pg. 574) Sources of funding include state & federal grants & taxes on citizens ad valorem taxes: taxes paid based on the value of the property user fees: paid by the user of the service sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county –general purpose local option sales tax: tax for general use –special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds sales tax to fund special projects such as parks or schools bond issues: a way for governments to borrow money; interest must be paid on the bonds

Section 3: Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live? (TB pg ) ESSENTIAL QUESTION NB 109 Where do Georgia’s citizens live?

Where do Georgians Live? TB pg. 575 Georgia is one of fastest-growing states Hispanics are fastest-growing group Georgia’s has an increasing number of older citizens Most Georgians (2/3) live in metropolitan area (area in or around a city) Over 50% of Georgians live in metro Atlanta Just 50 years ago, most Georgians lived in rural areas – Georgians were mostly farmers

Urban Sprawl (TB pg ) In 1960s, people began to move to suburbs – areas near edge of cities Expansion of suburbs created declines in urban pop. Large nos. of people in suburbs cause challenges to infrastructure – not enough roads, utilities, schools, sewerage, etc. Sprawl can cause traffic & pollution problems & an economic problem for the central city since the no. of residents declines

Urban Revitalization Effort to attract citizens to live in urban areas Cities need people to work and live there in order to grow and be healthy Examples –Atlanta: Sweet Auburn, Little Five Points, Virginia Highlands –Savannah: historic district, Bay Street, Factor’s Walk –Augusta: Riverwalk