Types of Local Governments

Powers of Local Governments The Constitution gives power to the federal and state governments but not to local governments—counties, cities, and towns. Local governments are created by the states and have only those powers that state governments give them. The powers that state governments give to local governments help meet the needs of communities throughout the nation. Local government is the level that is closest to you and has the greatest effect on your everyday life.

Counties and Townships Our oldest unit of local government is the county. Rooted in England, the county form of government came to North America with the English colonists. Settlers divided colonies into counties to carry out laws in rural areas. Because farmers lived far apart, county business was done at a place most people could reach within a day’s wagon journey. This distance to the “county seat” set the boundaries of many counties. Today, most counties help state governments keep law and order and collect taxes. Counties may also offer many other services, from libraries to health care.

County Officials Most counties are governed by county boards. A board is a group of people who manage the business of an organization. Most county boards have three to five elected members, called commissioners or supervisors. Board members set up county programs and pass ordinances, which are local laws. The county board shares its power with other boards, which run hospitals, libraries, and other special programs. Perhaps the best known elected county official is the sheriff. Other county officials may include the assessor (figures property values), the treasurer (sends the property tax bill), and the county clerk (keeps official records such as marriage certificates).

Townships In the Middle Atlantic states and in the Midwest, counties are often divided into townships. At first, townships were needed to help carry out duties such as setting up schools and repairing roads in rural areas far from the county seat. Over the years though, cities have grown larger and transportation has improved, so most of these duties have been taken over by county and city governments. In many urban areas, townships simply elect representatives to serve on the county board.

New England Towns In New England, another form of rural government grew up—the town. When people from other countries came to the New England colonies, they were given land. Groups of settlers started a town by building villages with homes, a church, and a school. They also planted crops in the nearby farmlands. The town was made up of both the village and the farmlands. Citizens took an active part in local government in the early New England towns. The voters met once a year at town meetings to pass laws, set taxes, and decide how the money should be spent. This kind of town meeting still takes place today in some small New England towns. It is the closest thing we have to direct democracy.

New England Towns At the yearly town meetings in a New England town, citizens elect a board of 3 to 5 members. The board carries on town business during the year. Other officials, such as the school board members, the town clerk, the assessor, and the treasurer—are chosen by the town board or elected by the voters. Like townships, New England towns have changed over the years. Because some towns have become large, it is not easy for all the citizens to gather together to decide things. Therefore, in many large towns, the voters choose representatives to attend town meetings. Some towns have hired mangers to take care of the town’s business.

Webquest Go to the following web address, check out the interactive history timeline, and answer the following question: What does the increase in the number of counties over time suggest about the importance of local governments in the United States. Web address: PHSchool.com Use the web code: mpp4121

Special Districts Sometimes it does not make sense for a community to handle certain matters alone. For example, it would not make sense for each community in a dry region to build its own water supply system. It would be too much work and cost too much money. In such a case, all the communities in the region ask the state to make a special water district to supply water to the whole region. A special district is a unit of government that generally provides a single service. It can serve one community or cover parts or all of several communities. Special districts serve many needs. In cities, they provide subways and parks. In rural areas they protect people from fires or control insects. Most such districts are run by a board. One special district that you know about is your school district.

Cities A government that serves people who live in an urban area is called a municipality. Most municipalities, especially those that serve large populations, are called cities. Some municipalities that serve small populations are called towns or villages. The boundaries and powers of a municipality are set by the state. Some communities write charters, or plans of government, that must be approved by the state. Governments of most municipalities follow one of three plans: Mayor-council Council-manager Commission

The Mayor-Council Plan The mayor-council plan also comes from England. The mayor, like the English prime minister or the American President, is the executive. The council, like the English Parliament or the American Congress, is the legislative branch. About 35% of cities in the U.S. use the mayor-council plan. Under this plan, the duties and powers of city officials depend on whether the city uses a weak- mayor plan or a strong-mayor plan.

Weak-mayor Plan Under the weak-mayor plan, the mayor does not have special executive powers. In fact, most of the power rests with the council. The council is elected by the people and acts as both a legislative and an executive body. The council can choose the mayor from among its members. The council also chooses other officials, makes ordinances, and decides how money should be spent.

The Strong-mayor Plan During the first century of our nation’s history, most cities used the weak-mayor plan. As cities grew in size, however, stronger leadership was needed in city hall. By the late 1800’s, most large cities had switched to a strong-mayor plan. In this plan, the relationship between the mayor and the council is more like that between the President and Congress. The council makes ordinances, but the mayor is elected by the voters and is in charge of the budget, makes policies, and chooses city officials.

Analyzing Political Cartoons In the early 1900’s, New York City was under the control of a political machine called Tammany Hall. In this cartoon, artist Thomas Nast explores the corruption of local government. Describe what is happening in the cartoon. Do the voters look happy or angry? What important point about election corruption does the cartoon make? What do you think Nast hoped to do by publishing this cartoon? You have the liberty of voting for any one you please; but we have the liberty of counting in any way we please