1. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

2. Local Government in Texas CHAPTER 22

3. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Local Governments in the Texas Political System Compare and contrast the structure, strengths, and prevalence of the different forms of government in Texas. Municipal Elections Evaluate the pros and cons of each system of municipal elections. City Budgeting and Urban Challenges Identify the multiple causes of the financial pressures placed on modern Texas cities. Key Objectives Click on buttons to go to the relevant slide. 22.1 22.3 22.2

4. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman County Government in Texas Describe the powers and responsibilities of county governments and county officials in Texas. Special Districts and Councils of Government Outline the purpose of special districts and councils of government, and assess their impact on the effectiveness of local government. Potential Solutions to the Challenges of Local Government Describe the many initiatives local governments have implemented to meet their current challenges. Key Objectives 22.4 22.6 22.5 Click on buttons to go to the relevant slide.

5. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Local Government in the Texas Political System Burdens on local governments have increased both from state and federal levels Dillon’s rule Compare and contrast the structure, strengths, and prevalence of the different forms of city governments in Texas. 22.1

6. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Local Government in the Texas Political System Municipal Government in Texas –Urban versus rural Three cities Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas are in the top 10 largest cities in America. –Texas’ Constitution and statutory law define basic forms of municipal government, but these vary in characteristics 22.1

7. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Local Government in the Texas Political System General-law and home rule cities –General law cities >5,000 residents –Home rule cities <5,000 residents 22.1

8. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Local Government in the Texas Political System Forms of city government in texas –Mayor-council Weak versus strong mayor –City commission –Council-manager 22.1

9. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 22.1 An Example of the Weak Mayor Form of Government

10. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 22.1 An Example of the Strong Mayor Form of Government: Houston

11. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives An Example of a City Commission Form of Government 22.1

12. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 22.1 An Example of a Council- Manager Government: Austin

13. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Texas Constitution provides for two general categories of cities, one of which is A.municipal. B.general law. C.council of government. D.township. 22.1

14. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Texas Constitution provides for two general categories of cities, one of which is A.municipal. B.general law. C.council of government. D.township. 22.1

15. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Municipal Elections Nonpartisan City Elections At-Large Elections and Place systems Single-Member Districts Evaluate the pros and cons of each system of municipal elections. 22.2

16. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Municipal Elections City budgeting and urban challenges City budgets Urban challenges in Texas –Graying of cities –“White flight” –Declining infrastructure –Crime and urban violence –State and federal mandated programs 22.2

17. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Municipal Elections County government in Texas –224 counties characterized by highly fragmented governmental organizations Commissioners court and county judge County clerk District clerk County and district attorneys Tax assessor-collector County law enforcement County auditor County treasurer 22.2

18. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives City governments rely on all of the following sources of revenue except A.property taxes. B.fees for services. C.sales taxes. D.state appropriations. 22.2

19. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives City governments rely on all of the following sources of revenue except A.property taxes. B.fees for services. C.sales taxes. D.state appropriations. 22.2

20. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives City Budgeting and Urban Challenges Rollback elections –Negate tax increases over 8% a year General obligations bonds or revenue bonds –Allow a city to leverage future tax revenues Mandates –Regulations enacted by states or the federal government –Financial burdens then require cities to delay needed repairs or new initiatives for their residents Identify the multiple causes of the financial pressures placed on modern Texas cities 22.3

21. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government The commissioners court and county judge –Commissioners court is comprised of 4 precincts and a county judge –Elected in partisan elections to serve 4-year terms –Administrative functions Describe the powers and responsibilities of county governments and county officials in Texas. 22.4

22. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government County Clerk –Serves as the clerk for commissioners court, the county courts and possibly district court –Maintains county’s vital statistical records –Records deeds and matters respecting property –Issues marriage and other licenses required by the state –May, in smaller counties, serve as elections administrator 22.4

23. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government District Clerk –Elected in a County-wide race –Maintains district court records and documents 22.4

24. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government County and district attorneys –Represents the state’s legal interests at the county level County attorney District attorney Criminal district attorney 22.4

25. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government Tax assessor-collector –Elected in partisan county-wide elections –Responsible for determining ownership of property and collecting taxes 22.4

26. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government County law enforcement –Sheriff –Constables –Medical examiner 22.4

27. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government County auditor –All counties with 10,000 or more people are required to have an auditor, or more than two counties with less than 22,000 residents can join together and the commissioners court can choose to create one –Appointed for 2-year term by the district judges –Reviews every bill and expenditure for the county 22.4

28. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government County treasurer –Responsible for receiving and disbursing funds –Most county treasurer offices have been abolished by constitutional amendment and their duties transferred to the county auditor 22.4

29. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Structure of County Government Criticisms of County Government –Designed when the state was primarily rural which is causing problems for more urban counties to efficiently respond to service and infrastructure needs of its residence –Associated with patronage 22.4

30. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The primary function of a Texas commissioners court is A.dealing with small claims of less than $5000. B.the maintenance of county roads and bridges. C.providing a central taxing authority for councils of government in the region. D.None of the above. 22.4

31. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Special Districts and Councils of Government Functions and structures Consequences of single-purpose districts Outline the purpose of special districts and councils of government, and assess their impact on the effectiveness of local government 22.5

32. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Special Districts and Councils of Government Functions and Structures –Special districts are units of local government created by the state to perform specific functions –A special district is governed by a board either appointed by other governmental units or elected in nonpartisan elections –Some special districts have been designed to serve specific geographic areas 22.5

33. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Special Districts and Councils of Government Consequences of single-purpose districts –Special districts compensate for the fragmentation of local government that exists throughout Texas –Many special districts are small operations with limited financial resources and few employees –Some special districts expand their functions beyond their original purpose –Most special districts operate in anonymity with little public awareness 22.5

34. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Special Districts and Councils of Government Independent school districts –Inequities in the public education system –Local school governance 22.5

35. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Special Districts and Councils of Government Council of Government (COGs) –Voluntary regional planning commissions created under the Texas Regional Planning Act of 1963. –Defined as ‘political subdivisions of the state” –They have no regulatory authority –Serve to promote collaboration and cooperation of public services among local governments 22.5

36. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Potential Solutions to Challenges of Local Government Privatization of functions Annexation and extraterritorial jurisdiction Modernization of county government Economic development Interlocal contracting Metro government Public improvement districts Describe the many initiatives that local governments have implemented to meet their current challenges. 22.6

37. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Regional planning commissions are A.public improvement districts. B.tax increment finance zones. C.councils of government. D.special districts like hospitals or schools. 22.6

38. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Regional planning commissions are A.public improvement districts. B.tax increment finance zones. C.councils of government. D.special districts like hospitals or schools. 22.6

39. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives What do you think: Could Texans save money by consolidating some of the independent school districts to avoid duplication of services? NO. There are too many differences present among some districts to make consolidation feasible and the money saved is not worth the trade-offs that would be faced by local communities. YES. There are an inordinate number of districts and the money spent for administrators could be better spent on curriculum and teachers.

40. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives What do you think: Should tax abatements be the preferred choice of county governments seeking economic investment? NO. Businesses seeking to locate in an area should be good ‘corporate citizens’, willing to pay their fair share of taxes to support the communities they move into. YES. This is the most cost-effective way for counties to lure business to their community and will provide a contribution to a community by way of jobs and reinvestment.

41. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Credits 804, top to bottom: Catherine Lucas/Alamy; Francisco Delgado; 813 Brian Kahn/Zuma Press; 815 Splash News and Pictures/Newscom; 817 Bob Daemmrich; 818 Mira Oberman/ AFP/Getty Images; 821 San Antonio ISD; 827, top to bottom: iStockphoto (2); moodboard/Corbis