13.5 - State and Local Governments

State and Local Governments Lesson 5 Local Governments Learning Objectives Describe the typical county, its governmental structure and functions, and the need for reform in county government. Identify the responsibilities of tribal governments. Examine the governments of towns, townships, and special districts. Explain the process of incorporation and compare and contrast the major forms of city government. Evaluate the need for city planning and list some major municipal functions. Outline the challenges that face suburbs and metropolitan areas.

State and Local Governments Lesson 5 Local Governments Key Terms county townships municipality special district incorporation charter mayor-council government strong-mayor government, weak-mayor government, commission government council-manager government zoning metropolitan areas

Counties Across the United States You know that the Census Bureau is in the people-counting business. Do you know that it also counts a great many other things—including units of government? In 2012, the Bureau’s Census of Governments found an astounding 90,107 governments in the United States, including the Federal Government, the 50 States, and 90,056 local governments across the country.

Counties Across the United States Counties: Some Key Facts How County Governments Are Structured County Government Powers Other Elected Officials County Functions Challenges Faced by County Governments

Counties Across the United States Services such as fire protection may be provided by a special unit of local government or by the city or county government.

Counties Across the United States A county government has a governing body, commissions, and various officials. Analyze Charts Why might confusion result from the county board sharing powers with other elected officials?

Tribal Governments Tribal governments exist as a distinct form of government. Unlike State, county, or city governments, however, the governments of Native American nations have a unique “government-to-government” relationship with the United States. These Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations, with the right to govern their own people on their own territories unless otherwise specified by treaty or acts of Congress.

Tribal Governments Sovereignty of Tribal Governments Structure and Services of Tribal Governments

Tribal Governments Classrooms on Native American reservations, such as this one on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State, are under the authority of the reservation's tribal government.

Tribal Governments Sovereign Native American governments have a special relationship to Federal and State governments. Analyze Maps Why do you think most reservations are in the Midwest and West?

Towns, Townships, and Special Districts Towns and townships exist in nearly half the States. They are little known in the South or West but are commonly found from New England to the Midwest.

Towns, Townships, and Special Districts The New England Town Town Meetings Townships Special Districts

Towns, Townships, and Special Districts In early New England towns, all male property owners were allowed to vote in town meetings.

Towns, Townships, and Special Districts Early township lines followed settlers’ paths as they established local governments. Analyze Maps What can be inferred about when each of these counties were formed?

City Government We are fast becoming a nation of city dwellers. Where once our population was small, mostly rural, and agricultural, it is now large, mostly urban, and dominated by technology, manufacturing, and service industries. In 1790, a mere 5 percent of the population lived in the nation’s few cities. Today, some 260 million people—more than 80 percent of the population—live in the nation’s cities and their surrounding suburbs. For local governments, that change has had dramatic consequences.

City Government Urbanization Incorporation City Charters

City Government The Industrial Revolution had a major impact on U.S. demographics. Analyze Graphs What trend can be seen in rural versus urban populations over time?

City Government The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, commemorates the city’s role in westward expansion. At the time of the 1850 census, St. Louis was the most populous city west of the Mississippi River.

Forms of City Government Although variations can and do exist, each city has one of three basic forms of government. A city has (1) a mayor-council, (2) a commission, or (3) a council-manager form of government.

Forms of City Government The Mayor-Council Form Strong and Weak Mayors The Commission Form Weaknesses of the Commission Form The Council-Manager Form City Managers Pros and Cons of the Council-Manager Form

Forms of City Government City councils handle a wide range of issues, including such things as finances, land use, and community improvements.

Forms of City Government Use of the strong-mayor form of city government often eliminates questions about who is in charge. Analyze Charts What can you conclude about this as a model for large cities?

Forms of City Government The weak-mayor model works best when the mayor and council work well together.Analyze Charts What are the pros and cons of city governments in which executive duties are shared?

City Planning and Other Municipal Functions With few exceptions, most American cities developed haphazardly, without a plan, and with no eye to the future. The results of this shortsightedness can be seen in what is often called the core area or the inner city. These are often the older and usually overcrowded central sections of larger cities.

City Planning and Other Municipal Functions Guiding Growth Zoning Pros and Cons of Zoning City Services

City Planning and Other Municipal Functions The 59-mile San Bernardino freeway in southern California is one of the busiest and most congested freeways in the United States. As a result, it is also one of the most dangerous.

Suburbs and Metropolitan Areas The growth of urban areas has raised many problems for city dwellers. Urban growth also affects residents of nearby suburbs.

Suburbs and Metropolitan Areas The Suburban Boom The Challenges of Metropolitan Areas Urban Special Districts

Suburbs and Metropolitan Areas In the economic boom after World War II, inexpensive new housing like this development in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and cheap government mortgages helped fuel a shift from urban to suburban living.

Quiz: Counties Across the United States Which of the following BEST explains why different States have different approaches to county government? A. The size of the State determines the form of county government. B. The population of the State determines the form of county government. C. Each State structures its county governments as it sees fit. D. The U.S. Constitution requires each State to structure its county government based on federal guidelines.

Quiz: Counties Across the United States Which of the following BEST explains why different States have different approaches to county government? A. The size of the State determines the form of county government. B. The population of the State determines the form of county government. C. Each State structures its county governments as it sees fit. D. The U.S. Constitution requires each State to structure its county government based on federal guidelines.

Quiz: Tribal Governments Why is official recognition by the Federal Government important for Native American tribes? A. Official recognition ensures that tribal governments have representatives in Congress. B. Official recognition exempts tribal governments from State and local control. C. Official recognition ensures that tribal governments follow State and local laws. D. Official recognition means that tribal governments can have a written constitution.

Quiz: Tribal Governments Why is official recognition by the Federal Government important for Native American tribes? A. Official recognition ensures that tribal governments have representatives in Congress. B. Official recognition exempts tribal governments from State and local control. C. Official recognition ensures that tribal governments follow State and local laws. D. Official recognition means that tribal governments can have a written constitution.

Quiz: Towns, Townships, and Special Districts Which of the following BEST describes why special districts are created? A. to reduce property taxes for citizens B. to distribute funds to all schools equally C. to provide particular services in areas not otherwise covered D. to compensate for tax collection differences between towns and townships

Quiz: Towns, Townships, and Special Districts Which of the following BEST describes why special districts are created? A. to reduce property taxes for citizens B. to distribute funds to all schools equally C. to provide particular services in areas not otherwise covered D. to compensate for tax collection differences between towns and townships

Quiz: City Government In order for a community to be incorporated as a city, A. it must apply to the Federal Government. B. it must submit a charter to voters for approval. C. it must be able to meet the needs of its citizens. D. it must reach a population level set by the State.

Quiz: City Government In order for a community to be incorporated as a city, A. it must apply to the Federal Government. B. it must submit a charter to voters for approval. C. it must be able to meet the needs of its citizens. D. it must reach a population level set by the State.

Quiz: Forms of City Government Which of the following might cause a city with complex needs to adopt the council-manager form of government? A. Council-manager governments allow every voter to have a voice in city management. B. Council-manager governments are headed by an elected chief executive. C. Council-manager governments rely on experts to handle issues like budgeting. D. Council-manager governments are popular in small rural cities.

Quiz: Forms of City Government Which of the following might cause a city with complex needs to adopt the council-manager form of government? A. Council-manager governments allow every voter to have a voice in city management. B. Council-manager governments are headed by an elected chief executive. C. Council-manager governments rely on experts to handle issues like budgeting. D. Council-manager governments are popular in small rural cities.

Quiz: City Planning and Other Municipal Functions A possible advantage of city planning is that A. it may make a city eligible for more federal funding opportunities. B. it may lower the crime rate in selected neighborhoods. C. it can provide more employment opportunities for a wider range of citizens. D. it can encourage the involvement of more citizens in the political process.

Quiz: City Planning and Other Municipal Functions A possible advantage of city planning is that A. it may make a city eligible for more federal funding opportunities. B. it may lower the crime rate in selected neighborhoods. C. it can provide more employment opportunities for a wider range of citizens. D. it can encourage the involvement of more citizens in the political process.

Quiz: Suburbs and Metropolitan Areas A wastewater treatment plant being built in a quiet neighborhood might be the result of A. the renewal of a city's charter. B. a lack of city zoning. C. the move from the cities to the suburbs. D. the growth of metropolitan areas.

Quiz: Suburbs and Metropolitan Areas A wastewater treatment plant being built in a quiet neighborhood might be the result of A. the renewal of a city's charter. B. a lack of city zoning. C. the move from the cities to the suburbs. D. the growth of metropolitan areas.