1. Local Governments in Texas
Chapter 6
Local Governments in Texas

2. Describe local political systems in Texas.
Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to…
Describe local political systems in Texas.

3. Federalism Revisited Lack of centralization in the United States
Different functions at different levels of government
Local governments are defined in the Texas Constitution and are creatures of the state

5. Creatures of the State Legal limits that constrain local governments
Population and Geographic territory
(1) a community with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and less than 2 square miles
(2) a community with 2,001 to 4,999 inhabitants and less than 4 square miles
(3) a community with 5,001 to 9,999 inhabitants
And less than 9 square miles.
Categorizing local governments
General law operates under Commissioner’s Court and the state constitution
Home Rule operates as a corporate municipality with its own city charter

6. General Law Cities and Home Rule
A community may not incorporate as a general- law municipality unless it meets the following territorial requirements
(1) a community with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants must have not more than two square miles of surface area;
(2) a community with 2,001 to 4,999 inhabitants must have not more than four square miles of surface area; and
(3) a community with 5,001 to 9,999 inhabitants must have not more than nine square miles of surface area.

7. Incorporation and Annexation
The process by which a community elects to self- govern
Annexation
The process involved when a municipality elects to change its corporate boundaries.
Each municipality possesses ETJ (extends from ½ to up to 5 miles) and grows with the population
Key terms:
general law city
home rule city
incorporation
extra-territorial jurisdiction

8. Requirements for Incorporating to General Law
Incorporation:
If a municipality wishes to change general-law municipality:
(1) at least two-thirds of the governing body of the municipality at a regular meeting must vote to make the change and the vote must be recorded in the journal of the governing body's proceedings;
(2) a copy of the record of the proceedings must be signed by the mayor;
(3) a copy of the record of the proceedings must be attested by the municipality's clerk or secretary under the corporate seal; and
(4) a copy of the record of the proceedings must be filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the municipality is located

9. General Law Cities and Home Rule
Home Rule (Special Law Municipality)
Home rule municipalities operates under a municipal charter that has been adopted or amended as authorized by Article XI, Section 5, of the Texas Constitution.
Chapter 9 describes the process by which any A, B or C type General Law municipalities may elect to transform into a Home-rule municipality.
A charter commission must be designated and draw up a charter which is voted on by the registered voters in that municipality.

10. Types of City Government
Council-Manager Government
Council- Mayor Government
Commission-style Government

11. Council-Manager Government
Arose out of concerns for corruption during the Progressive era, and today all major cities (except Houston) have adopted it, making it the most common
Citizen elect a city council by district and a mayor at large. The council hires a city manager.
The city council enacts policy while the manager is responsible for the day-to- day operations.
Key terms:
council-manager form
city manager

12. Weaknesses of Council-Manager
Council members tend to be part-time, short- term elected officials
Public perception of influence is limited
City managers, particularly if they are powerful and adroit, are able to influence council member decisions, sometimes to the detriment of constituents

15. Mayor-Council Government
Weak executive
Mayor shares powers with council or other elected officials
Mayor has limited budgetary authority
Mayor may not have veto authority or it is extremely limited
Mayor is often subject to short term limits
Strong executive
Mayor may have appointive authority
Has veto authority
Has budgetary authority
Longer terms or no term limit
Key terms:
weak mayor form
strong mayor form

19. Communicating Effectively…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Communicating Effectively…
Compare Figures 6.1, 6.3, and 6.4 with Table Discuss the fundamental differences among the weak mayor, strong mayor, and council-manager forms of government. Which do you prefer and why?

20. Commission Form of Government
General Law “C” type municipalities use this style (Galveston)
Combines legislative/executive functions
Weaknesses of the Commission Form of Government
Often the officials elected are not competent
Lack of separation of powers which could lead to corrupt actions
No official leadership
Key term:
commission form

22. Municipal Election Types
At-Large Election Systems
Largely, deemed unconstitutional under the Voting Rights Act and its later amendments
Single-Member District Election Systems
Cumulative Voting
Preferential Voting (no city in Texas uses this today because of its complicated nature but it would be more fair!)
Key terms:
at-large election system
single-member district
cumulative voting
preferential voting

24. Being Socially Responsible…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Being Socially Responsible…
Compare at-large election systems and single- member district systems. An argument in favor of single-member district systems is that they increase minority representation in local government. In your opinion, does increased minority representation increase intercultural competency? Why?

25. Election Characteristics
Municipal elections in Texas are facially non- partisan, but clearly, there is a tacit recognition of party alignment by agenda.
Low turnout is typical largely because of timing, but there is also a general lack of media coverage and electorate inattention
Key term:
nonpartisan elections

26. Taking Personal Responsibility…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Taking Personal Responsibility…
Local government directly impacts people in their daily lives. How can you be involved?

27. County Governments Oldest type of local government in U.S.
Handles state functions at a local level
Local services
Infrastructure (roads/bridges)
Planning and zoning
Building code and enforcement
Operating courts/jails
Record keeping
Key term:
county government

29. County Governments The Structure of County Government
The County Commissioner’s Court
The County Sheriff
The County and District Attorneys
The County Tax Assessor/Collector
The County Clerk and District Clerk
The County Treasurer
The County Auditor
Key terms:
commissioner‘s court
county sheriff

31. Weaknesses of County Governments in Texas
Inability to Provide Urban Services
Fire/Police protection
Garbage collection
Utilities are usually provided via co-ops
Lack of Ordinance Authority
Building and inspection codes are non-existent
Inequity of Financial Resources
Property tax is the typical revenue vehicle

32. CORE OBJECTIVE
Thinking Critically…
Identify some of the problems facing county governments. What solutions would you propose?

33. Special District Governments
Special purpose districts
Selection of governing boards
Appointment or election
Taxation authority
School Districts
Independent and Consolidated school districts
Key terms:
special purpose district
independent school district (ISD)