Objectives – I CAN: Describe the typical Tennessee county, its governmental structure, and functions. Explain the process of how Tennessee counties were formed. Contrast the major forms of county government. Compare and contrast how county government is different from state and federal government. Explain how each individual county makes a difference in a citizen’s everyday life.

Key Terms county: a major unit of local government in most states township: a subdivision of a county found in many mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states municipality: a separate urban political unit within a township special district: an independent unit created to perform one or more government functions at a local level

Local Governments In 2007 the U.S. Census counted 89,247 local governments. Local governments include counties, cities, towns, townships, school districts, and other special districts. The U.S. Constitution says nothing about local governments. The states have the sole right to create and abolish local governments within their borders. Local governments have only the authority granted to them by the state government.

Counties There are 3,033 counties in the United States. Counties vary greatly in physical size and population. The number of counties per state varies. In Alaska, counties are called “boroughs.” In Louisiana they are “parishes.” Connecticut, Rhode Island, and some other areas have no counties. There are 95 counties in the state of Tennessee

Tennessee - Each County has “Private Acts” County government in Tennessee is a political subdivision of state government. As a political subdivision, county government has only that authority which is delegated to it by the state. In Tennessee, the process of delegation of power from state government to county government is accomplished through legislative action of the general assembly, either through a general (public) act or private act. In the case of the general act, the general assembly grants certain powers which have general application to all or a large number of counties across the state. These general acts are assembled and codified in the Tennessee Code Annotated which is revised and published on an annual basis and is widely available. However, finding individual county legislation (private acts) is not so easy since it is not published in the official code. Find your county’s Private Acts on the link below: http://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/public/web/ctas.nsf/Reference?readform

County Structure The Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that the Tennessee Constitution allows for three types or forms of county government: (1) the basic form which includes the County Commission and constitutional offices, - 92 counties have this in Tennessee, (2) consolidated city-county government or metropolitan form of local government – 3 counties/cities have done this including Davidson County/Nashville; Moore County /Lynchburg; and Trousdale County/Hartsville, and (3) an alternative form, such as a county charter. No Tennessee counties and cities have done this.

Each Tennessee county has a governing body. Names for this body vary by state, but in Tennessee the governing body is called the County Commission. Each county is divided by population into districts that typically elect 2 Commissioners from each district.

TENNESSEE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BODY Each county in Tennessee, except those with a metropolitan form of government, has a county legislative body, which is also formally known as the board of county commissioners, or informally known as the county commission. The county legislative body, or board of county commissioners, is composed of not less than nine (9) nor more than twenty-five (25) members. The board reapportions the county into districts from which county commissioners are elected. These districts must be apportioned on the basis of population so that each commissioner represents substantially the same number of people. No more than three commissioners may be elected from the same district. T.C.A. § 5-1-108. The county legislative body replaced the quarterly county court as provided in the Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 934, T.C.A. § 5-5-101 et seq. The county commissioners are vested with all the legislative powers and duties formerly vested in justices of the peace, but possess no judicial powers and are not charged with any judicial functions. Under T.C.A. § 36-3-301, members of county legislative bodies may solemnize marriages. Source: CTAS

County Government Structure Graphic Source: Presentation Pro: Magruder’s American Government; Prentice Hall, Inc., 2001

County Structure, cont. All county boards levy taxes, borrow money, and pass local laws. They also hire county employees, supervise road programs, and manage county property.

Find your county’s officials at the link below: County Structure, cont. Counties have other elected officials. Nationwide, counties employ some 3 million people. There are also many county agencies and commissions that oversee specific services, such as fairs and libraries. Cannon County Courthouse – Woodbury, TN Find your county’s officials at the link below: http://www.ctas.utk.edu/public/web/ctas.nsf/countyofficialsinfo2?readform

Graphic Source: Lecture Notes - Magruder’s American Government; Pearson, 2014

Current events and issues in my county:   List 2 things that my county does well: List 2 things I think my county could do better:

“All politics is local!” Quote from Washington AP Bureau Chief Byron Price in 1932. Quote was used by former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives - Tip O’Neil in 1935, when he entered politics.