Local and City Government

Georgia has 159 counties, nearly 600 towns Each has a government County: subdivision of a state set up for certain governmental functions Most Georgia counties are run by an elected Board of Commissioners. Most counties are set up in a similar manner.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT Power to tax, police/sheriff, construct roads, provide public health care, parks, libraries, and public education Board of commissioners elected by the people to help organize and provide these services to the residents CITY GOVERNMENT (MUNICIPALITY) 535 cities and towns in Georgia Must receive a charter from the state to create a new town (200 residents, at least 3 miles away from nearest town, 2/3 of land used for residential and business) Mayor council or council management system Power to provide local police, license businesses, maintain streets and sidewalks, control traffic, provide water and sewage services

Officials in County Government Most counties have the following elected officials: -commissioners, superior court clerk, probate court judge, sheriff, tax commissioner, coroner Many officials are appointed: -county clerk, fire chief, road supervisor, emergency management director, attorney, planning and building inspector, etc. Larger counties have more officials.

Forms of City Government Mayor-Council: most common in Georgia -elected council, elected mayor weak-mayor system: -mayor has little power, figurehead -strong-mayor system: mayor has power to run the city, propose budget, can veto council Council-Manager -voters elect council members -mayor may be elected or appointed -council hires city manager for day-to-day operations of the city City Commission -voters elect commissioners -commissioners form department heads of the city -mayor chosen by the commissioners

Sharing Services Some city and county governments share services. Fulton County is home to city of Atlanta. Fulton County and city of Atlanta share zoning duties and library system. Fulton and DeKalb counties share a hospital authority. Fulton County and the City of Atlanta have separate school systems.

Special Purpose Districts Created for a specific job or task Within certain guidelines, these districts are self-governing Examples: school districts MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid -Transit Authority) Public Housing Authority Georgia Ports Authority

Funding Local Government Sources of funding include state and federal grants and taxes on citizens ad valorem taxes: taxes paid based on the value of the property user fees: paid by the user of the service sales tax: added to purchases made in the city or county general purpose local option sales tax: tax for general use special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST): approved by voters, adds sales tax to fund special projects such as parks or schools bond issues: a way for governments to borrow money; interest must be paid on the bonds

Where Do Georgia’s Citizens Live?

Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states Hispanics are the fastest-growing group Georgia’s has an increasing number of older citizens Most Georgians (2/3) live in metropolitan area (area in or around a city) Over 50% of Georgians live in metro Atlanta Just 50 years ago, most Georgians lived in rural areas – Georgians were mostly farmers

The Basic Structure of Georgia State Constitution Legislators began writing the current constitution in 1977 and it was approved in 1983. It is broken up into 11 articles and is 89 pages long. The articles outline the rights, rules, regulations, and procedures for both citizens and the state’s government. The articles include: Bill of Rights Voting and Elections Legislative Branch Constitutional Boards and Commissions Executive Branch Judicial Branch Taxation and Finance Education Counties and Municipal Corporations Amendments to the Constitution Miscellaneous Provisions

The Rights of Citizens Both the Georgia and the U.S. Constitution include a Bill of Rights outlining the rights of every citizen. For the most part, both documents have similar rights and freedoms Such as freedom of religion, speech and freedom of the press. However, Georgia’s Bill of Rights have several differences as compared to the U.S. Bill of Rights including Life, liberty and property—No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law Freedom of Conscience – Each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God Banishment and Whipping as punishment for crime – neither banishment beyond the limits of the state nor whipping shall be allowed as a punishment for crime Fishing and Hunting – The tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good

Responsibilities of Citizens In addition to the rights, citizens of the state and nation also have civic responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities include: Paying taxes Serving on juries Volunteering Voting