Local Government & Finance

Counties, Towns, & Townships Responsible for administering state law Largest unit of local govt. in most states Townships Smaller than counties

Government Structure Governing body County Board, Board of Commissioners Usually 3-5 members, smaller county govt. Board of Supervisors Larger county govt. – deal w/ administration, taxes, finances, etc.

Functions Towns/Townships exist in half of the states (New England) Responsible for administering state law Towns/Townships exist in half of the states (New England) Town meetings

Special Districts Created to perform govt. functions at local levels (ie. School districts) Can provide school administration, police protection, & park maintenance

Cities & Metropolitan Areas America’s rural-urban shift – 80% of population is in cities Incorporation- makes a city a legal body Charter- the mayor is head of one department

Forms of City Government Mayor-Council Form- person in charged is trained pro & is most widely used type of city govt. Defects: Depends on capacity of mayor Disputes between mayor & council stall workings of govt. Very complicated Plain City Mayor Jay Jenkins

Forms of City Government B. Commission Form: city’s basic law & declares it a municipal corp. Defects: Lack of chief executive Each tries to draw more $ for own depts. Lack of coordination

Forms of City Government C. Council-Manager Form- weak, mayor chosen

City Planning Planning Growth Need to correct past mistakes Fed. Govt. helps

City Planning B. Zoning: regulating uses of property in a city’s districts Residential Commercial Industrial

Municipal Functions Everything that a city does

Suburban Boom ½ of all Americans live here

Metropolitan Areas Cities & areas around them