Local Governments Organization
Power of Local Government decides how much power will be given to the local government. State Government
Local power is VERY limited. Dillon’s Rule Dillon’s Rule – said that local government could do what the state said they could do. ONLY Local power is VERY limited.
More local power but not absolute power. Home Rule Home Rule says that local governments can govern themselves. More local power but not absolute power.
Today most states use a mixture of Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule. What do we do today? Today most states use a mixture of Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule.
Environment and Housing What do they provide? Local Governments provide 6 basic services: Education Health and Welfare Public Safety Utilities Environment and Housing Land Use
How do they provide services? Local governments pay for the services they provide 2 ways: (from local and state governments) Taxes Collected Grants
How does it affect me? How does the local government and its decisions affect you? Let’s take a look…. LOCAL GOV.
Types of Local Government There are 3 types of Local Government City Governments County Governments Towns and Villages, Township, and Special District Governments
3 Types of City Government Mayor-Council Plan Council-Manager Plan Commission Plan
Mayor-Council Plan Mayor Council Consists of: (elected head of the city government – enforces the laws) (elected members who make the laws for the city) Mayor Council
Roles of Mayor and Council strong weak The mayor may be either or If the mayor’s role is WEAK his power is very If the mayor’s role is STRONG he has power limited more
Council-Manager Plan Council City Manager Consists of: (elected members who make laws for the city and hires the city manager) (a professional, nonpolitical director hired by the council who is responsible to the council) Council City Manager
Commission Plan Commission Mayor Consists of: (a group of people – appointed or elected – to head a department of the city. Passes laws and controls spending) (represents the government but has NO power) Commission Mayor
3 Types of County Government Commission Commission-Administrator Council-Executive
Board Commission Plan (group of elected supervisors Consists of: (group of elected supervisors who make and enforce the laws) Board
Commission-Administrator Plan Consists of: (group of elected supervisors) (appointed by the board to carry out plans and policies) Board Administrator
Council-Executive Plan Consists of: (group of elected supervisors) (chief administrative officer who can veto laws passed by the county board) Board County Executive
6 Other County Officials Treasurer Sheriff District Attorney Property Assessors Superintendent of Schools Auditor
3 Other Governments Towns and Villages Townships Special Districts
Towns and Villages Board Consist of: (group of elected supervisors) They help run the government for their area. Board
Townships Trustees Treasurer Supervisor Clerk Various structures but usually consists of: (people elected or appointed to control the funds and policy of the area) Also generally includes: Trustees Supervisor Treasurer Clerk
Special Districts Consists of: (a group of elected supervisors) Board
What do they do? special services Water districts Park districts Special Districts are set up to provide 4 Examples: special services Water districts Park districts Fire districts Library districts
Charging fees Receiving funding How are they funded? Special districts are funded two ways: or from the state, city, or county Charging fees Receiving funding
2 BIG Problems for ALL Local Governments Finances If taxes are low, services are cut. It is not always clear who provides a service or who funds it. Lack of Cooperation
Local Government Overview City Governments County Governments Other Governments Mayor-Council Mayor and Council Commission Board Town & Village Board Council-Manager Council and City Manager Commission-Administrator Board and Administrator Townships Trustees Commission Commission and Mayor Special Districts Board Council-Executive Board and County Executive