Texas Government 2306 Unit 11 Local Government

The Challenges of Local Government Multiple numbers and kinds of local government make it difficult for even concerned citizens to find a connection County governments City governments (municipalities) Special districts School districts Non-school districts Townships (not in Texas)

Types of Local Governments-2002

Counties - 1 A general-purpose government and an administrative arm (sub-unit) of the state: Less flexible than a municipality in organization and function—all counties must have same structure regardless of population and/or needs Do not have home rule option; Cannot pass ordinances unless authorized by the state;

Two Counties Functions Carry out state government functions An administrative subunit of state government Brings state government closer to the people 2. Provide services, especially for those living outside the city limits

Counties – Functions -1 Carry out state government functions: Running county, state, and national elections, but not local ones; Houses state district courts; Securing rights-of-way for highways; Law enforcement Registering births, deaths, and marriages Recording land titles and deeds; Registering motor vehicles; Collecting some state taxes & fees; Other powers authorized by state law

Counties – Functions - 2 Provide services, especially for those living outside city limits: Law enforcement Maintaining roads, streets, & bridges

Structure of County Government

Structure of County Government

Structure & Organization of Counties Primary officials of the county include: The commissioner’s court; The county judge; The sheriff; Constables; Tax assessor-collector The county treasurer; The county auditor; The county clerk; The district clerk; County attorneys/district attorneys

Revenue Sources for Counties Property tax Service charges Fines Intergovernmental transfers ($ from federal government)

County Government Expenditures Law enforcement & county jail Judicial—county & justice of the peace courts Roads & bridge maintenance and construction In rural counties (or without large cities): Library Airport Parks & recreation

Ector County Budget-2006

Ector County – Revenue Sources-2006

Counties: Issues and Problems Constitutional Rigidity—same structure for all counties Lack of much ordinance-making power Long Ballot A Spoils System Public Disinterest No single executive/person in charge

Texas Counties by Population

Types of Municipalities General-law cities – an incorporated community with a population of 5,000 or less and limited in the subject matter upon which it may legislate Home-rule cities – a city with 5,000 or more people which can adopt its own charter and structure: If population drops below 5,000 it may retain the designation; Voters may impose their will directly through an initiative, referendum, or recall Write their own city charter & structure of city government Greater taxation power Greater annexation power (can annex land without property owner’s consent) Greater freedom to govern city (without state government interference)

City Governments in Texas 1952-2002

Types of City Government Strong Mayor-Council type Weak Mayor-Council type Commission type Council-Manager type

Strong Mayor Council Form

Forms of Local Government- I Strong Mayor-Council form has a mayor elected at-large and is both chief executive and legislative leader Makes appointments of major department heads Prepares a budget May have veto power over city council decisions City planning is primarily the responsibility of mayor Advantage: City has strong leadership Cities 250,000+ use this type of city government

Weak Mayor Council Form

Forms of Local Government- 2 Weak-Mayor-Council form Mayor lacks veto power & can only vote to break a tie vote on council Council often primarily responsible for city budget & planning Council either has primarily responsibility of appointments or shares it with the mayor Advantage: cheaper Disadvantage: Lacks unified lines of authority since the mayor and council share administrative authority Used primarily by cities under 5,000 in population

Commission Form of City Government

Forms of Local Government-3 Commission form: Voters elect one set of officials who serve on the city commission (city council) Act as both executives and legislators: Each is a department head & runs a city department Mayor title rotates—each year a different commissioner is “mayor” Advantage: accountability—voters know who is responsible for every city service or program Disadvantage: commissioners often become more concerned about dept. than city problems (A disappearing form of city government)

Council Manager Form

Forms of Local Government-4 Council-Manager form has an elected city council & city mayor Mayor is weak, ceremonial figure, presides over council meetings and can cast tie-breaking vote City manager is hired by the council-no fixed term The city manager is responsible for the day to day operations—city planning, prepares & submits city budget, appoints department heads The council makes policy decisions Used by medium-size cities Advantage: city run by trained professional, doesn’t worry about re-election Disadvantage: “undemocratic”—manager not elected

Municipal Election Systems At-large elections - citywide elections of two forms: a pure at-large system where voters elect all the members of the city council with the winners being those with the most votes; An at-large place system, candidates run for a particular seat on the council Key point: city council candidates run city-wide Single-member districts - a system with members elected from individual districts by voters who live in each district

City Elections: 3 Progressive Reforms 1. Off-Year Elections In November of odd-numbered years In May of even-numbered years 2. Non-Partisan Elections 3. At-large Elections Reasons why medium & large cities have abandoned this Key: who does at-large elections hurt? Change has been voluntary and/or court-ordered

Cities: Sources of Revenue Sales taxes – a 1% statewide sales tax; experiences considerable ups and downs Property taxes where the revenue is based on a percent of assessed value of real property. User fees, or charging citizens for services received Public debt, usually in the form of bonds issues that must be approved by voters Rollback election which limits an increase in the property tax rate to no more than 8%

Cities: Spending Public Safety Law enforcement Fire protection Public Works (road, street, & bridge maintenance & construction) Water & Sewage Parks & Recreation

City of Odessa: Revenue Sources

Property Taxes Paid– Ector County-2006

Property Taxes Paid– Ector County-By Home Value-2006

Odessa City Budget – 2007-08

Odessa: Changing Demographics

OC--Changing Demographics Hispanics: 48.5% Anglos: 45.8% Blacks: 3.9% Asians: .8% American Indian .7% Women: 63.3% Men: 36.4%

ECISD --Changing Demographics · HISPANIC 58%   · ANGLO 35.3% · BLACK 5.3% · ASIAN 1.4%

ECTOR COUNTY vs. TEXAS COMPARISON-1 County Texas CRIME Violent Crimes 8.54/per 1,000 5.44/per 1,000 Intoxicated Drivers Rate 21.02/per 1,000 4.13/per 1,000 Drug-related Arrests 9.86/per 1,000 5.0/per 1,000 Family Violence 19.66/per 1,000 8.82/per 1,000 EDUCATION Functionally Illiterate Adults 32% 24% School Dropout Rate 10.6% 4.5% $ Spent/Student $6,336 $7,708 College Degree 12% 23.2% % Graduating H.S.-4 yrs. 74.6% 84.2% TAKS Passing 59.0% 68.0%

ECTOR COUNTY vs. TEXAS COMPARISON-2 County TEXAS  HEALTH Lung Cancer Deaths 61.6/per 100,000 54.2/per 100,000 Deaths: Heart 273.3/per 100,000 259/per 100,000 Chronic Lower Respiratory Deaths 93.1/per 100,000 46.7/per 100,000 % W/O Health Insurance 28.2% 26.3% Infant Mortality 9.8% 6.1% Rate of Teen Mothers 22.3% 14.7% ECONOMIC Per Capita Income $22,342 $29,039 Poverty Rate 18.7% 14.6% Unemployment Rate 6.0% 6.8% POLITICAL % Registered Voters Voting 52.4% 56.6%

Texas Cities by Population City Ranking Population Change

Special Districts The Hidden Governments Special districts are units of local government that provide a single or closely related services that are not provided by general-purpose county or municipal governments: the most numerous of all local governments in Texas. 2/3rds in Texas provide a single service Provide an alternative revenue source Created by voters in the area to be the special district & granted limited taxation powers

Special Districts in Texas 1952-2002

Special Districts Issues and Trends Multiple Governments – while special districts may be dissolved the trend has been toward an increase in them Reasons for growth of special districts Counties & cities overwhelmed already Some problems overlap into several cities/counties Reasons for concern over the rise of special districts: the actions of officials and employees are less visible than if the services were provided by a county or city; special district elections held at times or places other than general elections have very low voter turnout

Who Collects Your Property Taxes--Odessa Residents--2006

2006-Who Collects Your Property Taxes-Residents outside Odessa

Councils of Governments (COGs) Councils of government (COGs) - an attempt by the state to encourage coordination of local government activities on a regional basis COGs provides several significant services including regional planning, technical services, and help in applying for grants. By bringing local officials together, COGs provide a base for the exchange of ideas and knowledge

URBAN CRISIS 1. URBANIZATION - 1860-1945 2. SUBURBANIZATION - 1945 +   2. SUBURBANIZATION - 1945 + Better quality of life Low taxes New schools Open spaces Less crime & congestion FHA Interstates Brown decision  3. “WHITE FLIGHT” Middle & Upper Classes Business Outflow Loss of tax base = less tax revenue              4. POOR WHITES & MINORITY INFLOW – Need & demand for more social services

Changing Demographics & the Urban Crisis

Problems of Cities 1. LACK OF MONEY 2. LOSS OF INDUSTRY/JOBS 3. SLUMS 4.                  LACK OF ADEQUATE HOUSING  5.                  INCREASING CRIME 6.                  CONGESTION - TRANSPORTATION  7.                  POLLUTION - WATER, AIR  8.                  OLD SCHOOLS- $ MONEY 9.                  RACIAL PROBLEMS  10.              POVERTY - UNEMPLOYMENT  11.              MULTIPLICITY (TOO MANY) OF GOVERNMENTS  

Solutions to Urban Crisis 1.                  TAX INCREASES PROBLEM?   2.                  BORROW MONEY PROBLEM? 3.                  FEDERAL AID PROBLEM? 4.                  STATE AID PROBLEM? 5.                  ANNEX LAND INTO CITY PROBLEM? 6.                  TAX INCENTIVES for businesses 7.                  NEIGHBORHOOD RENOVATION For families   8.                  SCHOOLS??