Local Government & Quality of Life Overview of Government

Three Pillars of a Community’s Quality of Life Private Sector: Engine of the local economy Non-Profit Sector: Provider of services which the market and government miss, or can’t provide Government: Provider of essential amenities and basic services that create a foundation for smooth transactions, and a community’s quality of life

Local Government’s Contribution to a Community’s Quality of Life Schools/Education Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Health Care Environmental Protection TransportationHousing Public Safety

Essential Characteristic of Local Government is Fragmentation Several different jurisdictions providing government services in a geographic region (usually defined as a metro area, or a county) These include: County, Cities, Villages, Townships, School Districts, and Special Districts Government’s ability to enhance the quality of life in a community is affected by the degree of fragmentation

Two Views About Fragmentation Reformers: Fragmentation has negative effects on government’s ability to enhance quality of life, and may even contribute perniciously to undermining community. Decentralists: Fragmentation occurs due to individual choices, and preferences for autonomy that promote efforts to maintain several different units of government, (e.g., schools).

Fragmentation in General: Median Metro Area Total Number of Governments: 104 –Counties:2 –Cities24 –Towns, townships16 –School Districts19 –Special Districts43

Fragmentation in Clark County: # of Governments County1 Cities2 Villages8 Townships10 School Districts 8 (inc. JVS) Special Districts 10 –Total # of Governments= 39

Clark County Fragmentation in Comparison to All Ohio Counties Total Number of Taxing Districts in Clark County = 57 Ave. number of Taxing Districts in Ohio’s 88 Counties = 50; range=

Origins and Functions of Governments County: Administrative units of state government. First established by Congress under the auspices of the Northwest Ordinance in member elected Bd. Of Commissioners serving overlapping 4 yr. Terms. They share power with 8 other independently elected officers: Auditor, Clerk of Courts, Coroner, Engineer, Prosecuting Attorney, Recorder, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

Origins and Functions of Clark County Governments Townships: Originally created by the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1785 according to the basic requirement that land be surveyed for sale. Have been used by the Ohio legislature as a way of providing for basic government services in unincorporated areas of the county. 3-member Bd. Of Trustees responsible for basic services such as road maintenance, fire protection, etc.

Origins and Functions of Clark County Governments Cities and Villages: > 5,000 pop classified as city. Gain charters from the state to provide services to citizens within the corporation boundaries. –General Act Charter –Option Plan Charter –Home Rule Charter

Origins and Functions of Clark County Governments Special Districts: Have become increasingly popular in recent decades as a way to provide particular services to certain geographic area. –Port Authority –Library Districts –Combined Health District

Summary Local Governments are “creatures of the state” Fragmentation, whether good or bad, creates the need for collaboration and cooperation among local governments to improve a community’s quality of life