Local Government

1. POL 240-01
Fall 2015

6.  Counties
 Largest entity of a state by territory
 Vary in population and land area
 Provide array of public services for citizens
 Cities
 Self-governance for particular place
 Police, fire, streets, sanitation, parks

7.  Towns andTownships
 Smaller political units within counties
 Towns andVillages;Village Governance
 Town meeting popular in New England
▪ Direct democracy unfeasible, so election of committee,
board, etc. is needed for daily operations
 School Districts
 Special Districts

10.  Rural Counties vs. Urban Counties
 Basics of County Governance
 Governing body with separately elected officials
 Appointed county bureaucracy
 Elected Mayor and/or AppointedCity Manager
 Forms of County Government:
 County Commission
 Commission-Administrator
 Council-Executive

11.  Sheriff: Chief law enforcement officer
 County Attorney: Investigates/ prosecutes crimes
 County Clerk: Keeps records, supervises elections
 Assessor: Values taxable property
 Treasurer: Supervises county finances; collect tax
 Auditor: Supervises treasurer

13.  Document granting powers and determining
organization and responsibilities of city govt.
 What is Dillon’s Rule?
 Local govt’s only have power granted in charter
 Types of MunicipalCharters
 General, Special, Optional, Home Rule

14.  #1: Commission System
 Legislative and Executive Powers Combined
 One Commissioner acts as Ceremonial Mayor
 Drawbacks to System
 #2: Council-Manager System
 Elected council appoints city manager
 City manager is nonpartisan

15.  #3: Mayor-Council
 Voters elect mayor and city council
 Mayor = Executive; Council = Legislature
 Large cities have strong mayor system
▪ Mayor can veto, remove officials, prepares budget, etc.
 Small towns have weak mayor system
▪ Council appoints department heads
▪ Mayor presides over meetings; acts as figurehead