Chapter 3: Objectives Understand how local governments fit into our state and federal systems of government and how they impact our daily lives. Discuss how representative local governments are. Discuss whether term limits improve the state of democracy in Texas.

Chapter 3: Objectives Describe the purpose of counties in 21st century Texas. Debate why the number of special districts continues to increase in a state that believes strongly in limited government. Discuss whether metropolitan areas are up to the challenge of meeting the needs of Texans in an era where demands for services are on the rise while revenues fall.

Local Government Influence Local Government has the greatest effect on citizen’s daily lives. Types Municipalities – about 1,200 city and town governments Counties – 254 Special districts – more than 3,000

Local Government and Federalism Local governments are directed by the State Constitution Influenced by state and federal funding Local government’s influence often overlaps with other local governments Grassroots approach to influence local government policy

How Do We Compare How Do We Compare – In Employees and Spending at State and Local Levels? How does Texas rank to other states in state employment per 10,000 citizens? How does Texas expenditure per capita rank compared to other states? What are the positives and the negatives to that ranking? How does Texas’ debt rank compared to other states? How do all these numbers influence local government hiring, expenditures, and debt?

Municipal Governments Municipal Government – local government for an incorporated community established by law as a city Two types General law city Home rule city

General Law City Texas Legislature prescribes the charter Population of 201 or more Approximately 900 in Texas

Home Rule City Charter is adopted, amended, or repealed by majority vote in a citywide election Population of 5000 or more Approximately 300 in Texas City Charter Establishes powers of municipal officers, sets salaries and terms of offices for council members and mayors, and procedures for ordinances (city laws)

Home Rule City May exercise three powers not held by the state government Recall – process for removing elected officials through a popular vote Initiative – citizen-drafted measure proposed by a specified number or percentage of qualified voters and voted on by citizens Referendum – approves or repeals an existing ordinance by popular vote

Forms of Municipal Governments Four forms of municipal governments Strong Mayor Council Weak Mayor Council Council – manager Commission Various combinations of the four are allowed for home rule cities

Strong Mayor Council Used by many large cities, but only Houston in Texas A council composed of members elected from single-member districts Mayor elected at large, with power to appoint and remove department heads Mayor has budgetary power Mayor has the power to veto council actions

Strong Mayor Council

Weak Mayor Council Cities trending away from this form of government Mayor equal with council members Local government gives the mayor limited administrative powers Council can override mayor veto

Council Manager The mayor is a presiding member of the council with few formal administrative powers City council or commission members elected at large or in single-member districts make general policy for the city City manager appointed by the council responsible for carrying out council decisions and managing the city’s departments

Council Manager

Commission Each elected commissioner is responsible for a different department Commissioners designate a city secretary or another official to coordinate departmental work

Municipal Politics Non-partisan elections – candidates are not identified on the ballot by party Held by city and special districts Voter turnout low Politics more personal City councils must redistrict

Municipal Elections At-large elections Single-member districts Council members elected on a citywide basis. Tendency to over-represent majority and under-represent minorities. Single-member districts Voters cast a ballot only for a candidate who resides within their district. Increased diversity on city councils and local governments. Cumulative Elections Number of votes equal to the positions available and may cast them for one or more candidates in any combination. Term Limits

Points to Ponder What are local Houston elections indicative of concerning affirmative action programs and gay rights? What do you believe has influenced Houston’s diverse policies and elected officials?

Should Term Limits Be Instituted for City Council Members and Mayors? Point/Counterpoint Should Term Limits Be Instituted for City Council Members and Mayors? Arguments for Long tenure tends to encourage corruption and complacency. Term limits facilitate new approaches to solving public problems. Turnover ensures election of citizen public officials instead of professional office-seekers. What is your opinion? Arguments Against Turnover does not guarantee better or more honest leaders. Turnover produces amateurs easily outwitted by experienced lobbyists and bureaucrats. By the time officeholders learn their jobs, they have to leave.

Win–Win: A Tale of Two Internships Students in Action Win–Win: A Tale of Two Internships As part of an Internship Program by Sam Houston State University, Megan Bryant completed two internships with local governments. She gained a direct connection to her community, organizational skills, career experience, and the reward of helping others.

Municipal Services

Municipal Services Multiple Municipal Services provided: Police and fire protection Streets Water Sewer and sanitation Parks and recreation Regulation provided: Zoning Construction Food service Sanitation

Municipal Revenue Sources Resources limited with greater responsibility placed on local governments Sources Property Taxes Tax property based on value of home or business Amount of taxes per $100 of the property’s value Sales Tax Based on sales of selected items 1 % of purchase price

Municipal Revenue Sources Fees Increasingly used Depend on state allowances and local government agreements Bonds General obligation bonds Revenue bonds

Municipal Revenue Limitations Property tax exemptions Property tax caps Bonds with voter approval

How Do We Compare? How Do We Compare…In Funding Services at State and Local Levels On what sector do all governments spend the most money? On what sector do governments spend the least amount?

Municipal Economic Development Less money coming from Federal Government and State Tax Reinvestment Zones (TRZs) Tax breaks to attract investment in blighted inner-city and other areas needing development

Counties An agent of the state Each county (254) Provides basic services primarily to those outside of municipalities Each county (254) Issues state automobile licenses Enforces state laws Registers voters Conducts elections Collects certain state taxes Helps administer justice

County Structure Provided by Texas Constitution Same basic structure for all counties Partisan election to serve four-year term for all elected county officials

County Structure

County Structure

County Structure County Commissioners Court County Judge Major policy-making body of the county Membership includes four elected commissioners for specific precinct County Judge Presiding county officer Completes administrative and judicial functions Counties must redistrict every decade

County Commissioners Court Functions: Adopting the county budget and setting tax rates Providing a courthouse, jails, and other buildings Maintaining county roads and bridges Administering county health and welfare programs

Elected County Officials County Attorney Represents state in civil and criminal matters County Sheriff County’s chief law enforcement officer and maintains county jail County Clerk Completes clerical duties of county

Other Elected County Officials County Tax Assessor – Collector Collects county taxes and fees County Tax Appraisal District Assesses property values in the county County Treasurer Receives and pays out all county funds County Auditor Checks the accounts of officials who handle county funds

County Finance Sources of Revenue Property taxes Fees Federal grants-in-aid Economic development Tax incentives and abatement Bonds

County Finance Expenditures Restricted by state and federal requirements Spending varies from each county Commissioners Court prepares budget

County Issues County Government Reform Border Counties Colonias (2300) Elections and leadership Border Counties High growth Most impoverished counties in the nation Colonias (2300) Depressed housing settlements often without running water or sewage systems

Special Districts Government unit usually with one function and serves a specific group of people in a particular geographic area. Two Categories School Districts More than 1,000 Independent School Districts Governed by elected board Finance a major issue – “Robin Hood” Includes Community College Districts (50)

Special Districts

Special Districts Non-education Special Districts (2300) Single districts that provide specific functions in an area Provide specific services that county may not be able to cover Allow for additional authority in a specific region Possibly bring in additional revenue

Points to Ponder What is the difference in annual income between those who obtain a bachelor’s degree and those who do not?

Metropolitan Areas 88% of Texans live in Metropolitan Areas Often have problems and concerns influencing entire Metropolitan Area that cannot be maintained by current governing bodies Council of Governments created Voluntary associations of local governments Perform regional planning activities and provide services

Metropolitan Areas

Municipal Annexation Provides process for home-rule cities grappling with suburban sprawl Provides cities with extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) outside their city boundaries Allows regulation and annexation of unincorporated areas Benefit is that it provides order and planning Major complaints from property owners in annexed area