Local Government Local Gov’t structure is decided by the state Local gov’t must have a Charter Gives them right to collect taxes, give licenses, and maintain safety
Jan 29, 2016
Local GovernmentLocal Gov’t structure is decided by the state
Local gov’t must have a CharterGives them right to collect taxes, give licenses, and maintain safety
County Government
Early in USA Counties were the gov’t
Most people lived in rural (farms) areas
Today County = big area w/ several cities
San Diego CountySan Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, Escondido, Chula Vista, Poway, etc.
Counties run courts & more
Who Runs county gov’t
County Board of Commissioners (3-7+)Pass laws, collect taxes, deal w/roads
Deal w/ zoningWhat you can or can’t do with property
Run county jails, courts libraries
Other County DutiesSheriff- work for courts, enforce laws
County clerk- keep track of paper workLicense for marriage, business, birth records
Treasurer- collect $$ ,taxes & fees
Auditor- says how much your property is worth so for taxes
District Attorney (Prosecutor)- Proves that a person has broken the law
Lot of other helpers - commissionersCoroner- deals w/ dead bodies
Urban vs. Rural
Today more people live in Urban (city) areas
• City has lot of challenges- bigger population
• City duties:– Police, fire, roads, water, transportation,
trash
• Culture & recreation (fun)
City Power
• Cities have to get Charters to work
• Charter- like a mini-Constitution
• Gives city power only in the area covered by charter (city limits)
City Funding
• Funds= $$
• $$ from Taxes- – most from property & sales– sometimes income- not much
• Property- assess by city
• Bonds- Loans to cities (counties)
• Also money from state & federal gov’t
City Gov’t• Depend on the state and city
• Mayor-Council- executive and board– Both elected, one selects leaders of dept.
• Commission- no executive– Elected, lead of dept.s, one serves as leader
• Council-Manager- Board & Hired Director– Council elected, Manager hired-runs city
• Manager not elected – focus on business not politics
Other Types of City Govs
• New England Towns- Direct Democracy– All citizens vote, ok for small town– Not showing up and size are issues
• Townships- Elected trustees– People elect trustees to do job of gov’t– Trustees make rules & collect taxes
• Villages & Boroughs- small time– Towns of 200, self-run– Officials serve part-time
Government in Action
• Local gov’t meetings open to the public• Except some special sessions
• Some show the meetings on TV
• You can see and hear what the decisions that they are making
• You can even talk about an issue
Ch 10.2 Review Quiz
1. What is a city government?
2. What are the 3 most popular types of city governments? How does each run?
3. What are the main responsibilities of a city government?
4. How does a city government get the money it needs to operate?