NC Local Government

County vs. Town County – Wake County What:  a political and administrative division of a state, providing certain local governmental services. There are 100 counties in NC Town – Knightdale What : An urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government, and that is generally larger than a village and smaller than a city

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Types of Local Government – County & Municipality Municipality – a city, town, or village with an organized government and the authority to make and enforce laws. (State General Assembly grants charter) Ordinance – a law passed by a local government. Zoning – designating different areas of land for different uses. residential – housing commercial – business (retail, etc…) industrial – factories Annexation – incorporating land into a municipality.

Municipality Government Council-Manager System MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT Municipality Government Each municipality elects a governing board. (City Council, Town Council, Board of Commissioners, Board of Alderman) Elections (At Large, by Ward, or Mixture) Pass Ordinances – municipal policies, approve budgets, set municipal tax rates, regulate what people can do in the municipality. Mayor Usually elected, not always. Presides over meetings of the council. Current Mayor Russell Killen (District 10) Council-Manager System Governing board hires a professional called a “manager”, to carry out policies.

County Sheriff County Sheriff - Donnie Harrison 1st elected sheriff for wake county. The Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of the County. Wake County voters elect the Sheriff to four-year terms.

Coroner The OCME investigates all deaths in the county due to injury or violence, as well as natural deaths that are suspicious, unusual, or unattended by a medical professional. Signs death certificates Performs autopsys

COUNTY GOVERNMENT County Government County Commissioners – voters elect commissioners (3-11). Chairperson – may be elected or chosen by commissioners. County Commissioners are responsible for the following… Hire administrators for education, elections, mental health, public health, social services, alcoholic beverage control, and soil and water conservation. LEA – Local Education Authority Voters elect a school board to carry out state education policy.

GOVERNMENT FINANCES State Budget Process Fiscal Year – (July 1 – June 30) Budget – Begins July 1 of odd-numbered year – June 30 of next odd-numbered year. Revenue - $ the state government has to operate. (Taxes, fees, etc…) Expenditures - $ the state government will spend on programs. Balanced Budget – Expenditures = Revenue Governor – prepares budget for two fiscal years. General Assembly – must pass the budget. Propose ways to raise revenue & cut expenditures. Often they do not pass budget by July 1.

Local Government Budget GOVERNMENT FINANCES Local Government Budget Expenditures utilities (water, sewage) public safety public schools public health mental health social services Revenues user Fees (water, sewage) property tax intergovernmental revenue