Local Government NC Unit 4

County Government Local governments are established by state governments. All counties provide services for their citizens. County board has legislative powers. Collect revenue through property tax and sales tax. Have executive power to enforce laws (Inspectors).

The Board of County Commissioners The board of county commissioners has general responsibility of county government James A. Hill, Vice-Chairman Brenda A. Howerton, Commissioner Heidi Carter, Commissioner Ellen W. Reckhow, Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, Chair Under the 1868 NC Constitution, voters in each county began to elect a board of county commissioners, replacing “justices of the peace” appointed by the governor

Commissioner Responsibilities Setting local property tax rate Adopting the county budget Passing ordinances, resolutions, and orders to establish county policies Appointing a county clerk to keep official records of the board’s meetings and decisions Clerks also publish notices, conduct research, and provide information to citizens about county government

Shared Authority Unlike a city or town governing board, the board of county commissioners shares authority for setting county policy with other officials: State officials The Sheriff The Register of Deeds The Clerk of Court Independent County Boards NC state law provides for 6 separate independent boards in counties with responsibility for alcoholic beverage control, public education, elections, public health, mental health, social services Independent boards in NC counties appoint directors for their agencies and make local policies regarding agency operations

Independent Boards: (1) Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Ensures that the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages is handled in a responsible and controlled manner Ensures that purchases are made by only those who are legally entitled Provides education and information on alcohol-related issues

(2) Board of Education Local boards of education are made up of officials, elected at the school district level, that: Manage the budget for operating schools Set school calendars Make decisions about textbooks and other school-related matters http://www.dpsnc.net/domain/77

(3) Board of Elections Registers voters Maintains voter registration records Reports elections results to state board of elections Files candidates Conducts elections http://polls.mytimetovote.com/north_carolina.html http://dconc.gov/home/showdocument?id=17416

(4) Public Health Regulates restaurant cleanliness Educates people about health issues Provides shots to prevent illness Cares for the ill who cannot afford to care for themselves

(5) Mental Health Services Provide psychiatric services for county residents Provide treatment for substance abusers Provide schools and education services for the mentally challenged

(6) Social Services Provide assistance to county residents with low incomes Help children through foster care, adoption, and counseling programs Administer the federal food stamp program Independent boards DO NOT have the authority to levy taxes. Funds to support independent board services must be raised by the board of county commissioners. Also, all independent board budgets must be approved by the board of county commissioners For the reasons listed above, the board of county commissioners has the potential to influence all county programs that depend on county money, including even the schools, which operate as separate administrative units

County Officials Sheriff: Law enforcement. Keeps peace and manages the jail. District attorney: Investigates crime and prosecutes in court. Coroner: Establishes the cause of death. County clerk: Keeps official records. Assessor: Determines the value of property for tax purposes. Register of Deeds: maintaining public recordsand documents

City Government Must get a charter from the state government. NC does not have Home Rule - this would allow them to write their own charters.

Mayor-Council Government Separate legislative (city council) and executive (mayor) branches. There are strong and weak mayor plans. Strong Mayor – the mayor has appointment powers Weak Mayor – the city council has appointment powers

City Council – City Manager Voters elect a city council. City manager runs the city. Appointed by the city council.

Community Problems Public Policy: Decision that effect people. They can come from lawmakers, citizens, interest groups, and the media. Must plan for the future. Involves educated guessing. Short term: Decisions effecting the next few years. Long term: Decisions effecting the next fifty years. Must have priorities and evaluate resources. Communities develop a master plan of goals.

Zoning A zoning board decides what land will be used for. Different zones for residential, business, and public land. Provides a map for the community.

Annexation State laws allow cities to annex property so they can provide essential services to urbanized areas in an orderly and efficient way. Municipalities must provide annexed areas with services such as police and fire protection, water and sewer lines, recreation, solid waste collection and street maintenance.

Education and Housing Education is the most expensive service provided by state and local governments. Vouchers: Help parents send children to private schools. Urban renewal: Re-building old neighborhoods. The government provides low income housing.

Shortages and Pollution Many places have shortages on power and water. Conservation: Using less of our resources. Disposing of garbage is a problem (landfills). Recycling: Using old materials to produce new ones.

Federal Aid to the States Spending is roughly related to population of the state (from census numbers) Additional demographic questions to find out how many children (education), minorities (grants for minorities), and population density (highways)

Types of Aid Categorical Grants – funds for some specific closely defined purpose. Ex: Like money for school lunches Usually have strings attached Block Grants – funds for much more broadly defined purposes Fewer strings attached, more freedom for state/local to decide how to spend money Project Grants – funds for specific organizations or governmental bodies Ex: For research, job training programs, etc.

State and Local Voting Procedures Initiative – A means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote. Referendum - A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. Proposition - A ballot measure to be approved or rejected by eligible voters.