Ch. 24 Local Government
24-1Structure of
Local Government
Definitions
• County• City / Municipality (incorporated; has charter
from state)• City / Community / Census Designated Area
(CDA) (unincorporated county)• Suburb• Metropolis
County
• Run by County Board of Supervisors • Provides services mandated by state• Provides services to cities and unincorporated communities
Cities vs. Unincorporated County
• San Diego has 18 incorporated cities, and many more unincorporated communities
San Diego County Elected Officials
• Board of Supervisors • Sheriff – patrols, runs jails• District attorney – prosecutes crimes• Treasurer / Tax Collector• Assessor / Recorder / County Clerk
– Assessor – property value – County Clerk – birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.
County Departments
• Public Safety• Financial & General Government• Land Use & Environmental• Health & Human Services• Community Services
Public Safety
•
Health & Human Services
• Mental Health• Public Health – immunizations, etc.• Seniors / Independent Living• Children – foster care, adoption, etc.
Land Use & Environmental
• Planning• Building Inspection & Permits• Park & Recreation• Air Pollution Control District
Community Services
• Registrar or Voters • Housing• Animal Services• Library
Special Districts
• Schools
• Community colleges
• Water supply
• Landscape and Lighting
Intergovernmental Agencies
• SANDAG (San Diego County Association of Governments)
• TransNet – transportation system development, through half-cent voter-approved local sales tax, in effect since 1987
• MTS (San Diego Metropolitan Transit System)
San Diego Independent Agencies
• Created by California Legislature• Funded by “user fees,” not taxpayer dollars:
– San Diego County Regional Airport Authority– Port District (“Unified Port of San Diego”)
• Member cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach,
Coronado
San Diego
• Went from Council-Manager form to Strong Mayor-Council form in 1995
• Charter overhaul
• Ethics Commission / scandals – Chargers stadium scandal
– Underfunded Pension Fund scandal
24-2Serving Localities
“Big Five” City Services
• Police • Fire• Park & Rec (parks, pools)• Trash (“Sanitation,” “Solid Waste,” “Environmental Services,” “Refuse”)
• Libraries
Other Possible Big City Expenses / Services
• Legal services (city attorneys, public defenders)• Capital expenses
– Roads– Sports facilities – Performing arts centers– Urban renewal / Redevelopment
• Human Services – Childcare (before / after school) – Homeless services
• Community Services– Lifeguards– Public Art
Usually Privately Funded
• Museums? • Symphony?
Private Utility Companies
• Gas & Electric• Telephones• Cable TV
24-3 Challenges of Urban Growth
Redevelopment
• California Redevelopment law • San Diego has 17 Redevelopment areas • Tax increment financing • Community Development Block Grants
San Diego
16 Redevelopment areas
Managed Growth Initiatives
• San Diego – Prop A – 1985
• Oceanside – Prop A – 1987 – Struck down by court in 1995
• Escondido –Prop S – 1998
• San Marcos - ??