1. Branches/Leaders/Responsibilities
Complete the following chart:
Government
Branches/Leaders/Responsibilities
United States
State of Texas

2. Citizens ? State of Texas Govt.
U.S.
Govt.
What government piece is missing from this pyramid?
How does government reach citizens in their everyday lives?

3. Citizens State of Texas Govt. County Governments City Governments U.S.

7. Document 1 – Local Government reading
Local Governments in the Texas - While local governments are subordinate to the state, the state relies on local governments to carry out many of its responsibilities. The Texas Constitution provides for two types of cities. Cities with fewer than 5,000 people are designated general law cities and have more restrictions in organizing their governments. Cities with more than 5,000 residents are allowed to function as home rule cities, choosing a form of government that satisfies community needs as long as it does not conflict with the state constitution or statutes. Home rule cities have considerable authority and discretion over their own local policies within limits set by state law.

8. Document 1 – Local Government reading
City Government in Texas - Cities (which there are 1,215 incorporated cities in Texas) have experimented with three forms of government: mayor-council, city commission, and council-manager. Fort Worth has a council-manager government, with elections held every two years for a mayor, elected at large, and eight council members, elected by district. The mayor is a voting member of the council and represents the city on ceremonial occasions. The council has the power to adopt municipal ordinances, laws and resolutions, make proclamations, set the city tax rate, approve the city budget, and appoint the city secretary, city attorney, city auditor, municipal court judges, and members of city boards and commissions. The day-to-day operations of city government are overseen by the city manager, who is also appointed by the council.
Duties of city governments include hiring and maintain emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance. Cities are also responsible for providing their citizens with a safe water supply, garbage and recycling services, animal control, maintaining city streets, building roads, and other infrastructures, and offering city libraries. Last, city governments maintain municipal courts and city jails.

9. Document 1 – Local Government reading
County Government in Texas - Texas has 254 counties, more than any other state. Initially created to serve a rural population, county governments function primarily as administrative subdivisions of the state. All counties function under the same constitutional restrictions and basic organizational structure despite wide variations in population, local characteristics, and public needs. Major responsibilities include building and maintaining roads, recreational facilities and, in some cases, county airports; constructing and operating jails; operating the judicial system; maintaining public records; collecting property taxes; issuing vehicle registration and transfers; and registering voters. Counties also provide law enforcement, conduct elections and provide health and social services to many poor county residents.

10. Document 1 – Local Government reading
Special Districts in Texas - Special purpose districts provide numerous public services and add to the fragmentation of local government. There are approximately 3,300 such governments across Texas including drainage districts, navigation districts, fresh water supply districts, river authorities, underground water districts, sanitation districts, housing authorities, soil conservation districts, school districts, and others. Most people know little about their jurisdiction, structure, functions, and leadership, making them the 'invisible governments' of Texas.
Independent School districts - The independent school district is the basic organizational structure for public education in Texas. It has its origins in the Constitution of Initially, the city government served as the school board, but in 1879, school districts were permitted to organize independently of the city or town, elect their own boards of trustees, and impose their own school tax. Texas has more than 1,000 independent school districts, which are working to improve the quality of education against a backdrop of social, cultural, and financial problems.

11. Document 2 – Sources of Income for County Governments
County revenues come primarily from taxes, fines and fees. The commissioners’ court decides which of the available taxes can be used, and what tax rate is within statutory or constitutional restrictions. The types of taxes a county can levy are determined by the Texas Legislature. Fines and fees are collected by counties and then a portion goes to the state of Texas.
Property Tax
Property tax is the main source of revenue for county governments. Property tax is an ad valorem tax, which means that property is taxed according to its value. The property tax is levied on all real property, such as land, buildings, home improvements and some personal property used or held for business purposes. In Texas, a county keeps 100 percent of the property tax it collects. Counties may contract to collect taxes for schools, cities or other jurisdictions also.

12. Document 2 – Other Sources of Income for County Governments
A county has other sources of income besides property taxes, including fines, fees and vehicle registrations. Fines and fees are deposited into the general operating funds of the county. Fines and fees can come from:
• criminal defendants who pay fines and court costs;
• fines, civil fees, and small claims fees levied by justices of the peace;
• fees for the services of constables;
• registering birth certificates and marriage licenses with the county clerk;
• fines and fees levied by the county court;
• passport fees, civil fees and felony fees paid to the district clerk;
• bond forfeitures and arrest fees.
Owners of motor vehicles and trailers must register their vehicles and pay a fee in the county tax assessor-collector’s office. The county gets to keep the first $50,000 of these fees plus an amount determined by multiplying the number of miles of county roads by a certain amount set by the state. The county tax assessor also keeps a certain percentage of fees before turning the remainder over to the state of Texas.

13. Income for most Texas cities
Document 3 – Chart 1
Income for most Texas cities
Texas Municipality League

14. Expenses for most Texas cities
Document 3 – Chart 2
Expenses for most Texas cities
Texas Municipality League

15. Document 4 –Fort Worth City Government Structure

16. (per $100 of property value)
Document 5 – Special Districts
Special District Name
Total Tax Rate, 2012
(per $100 of property value)
Total Levy, 2012
Tarrant County College $
$188,247,000
Tarrant County Emergency Services District $
$3,577,080
Tarrant County Hospital District $
$287,402,000
Tarrant County Regional Water District $
$9,012,400

18. Using your prior knowledge about the three branches of government and the handout, identify the city officials that fulfill the duties of each branch.
City Government
Executive (Enforces laws)
Legislative (Makes laws)
Judicial (Review laws)
Writing reflection: Why are city and county governments important to Texas citizens?