1. Role of Local Government in Georgia
SS8CG5
Role of Local Government in Georgia

2. County System
Just as the United States is subdivided into 50 states, the state of Georgia is subdivided into 159 counties (2nd largest in U.S. )
Georgia’s first Constitution of 1777, established the state’s first eight counties (Wilkes, Richmond, Burke, Effingham, Chatham, Liberty, Glenn, Camden)
The headquarters of county government is called the county seat.
Each seat has one representative = More Power
Fewer Major Cities
Function Today
Providing courts of law, holding elections, building and repairing county roads, and administering welfare programs. Due to changes in the 1983 Georgia Constitution, counties can also provide services such as police and fire protection, libraries, and public transportation.
Fun Fact: Counties has to be small enough to go to the county seat and home in a single day by horseback.

3. County System – Create a web!
Positions of a county’s governmental organization.
The Sheriff
enforces the law, maintains the peace, jailer.
The Tax Commissioner
receives tax returns, maintains tax records, pays taxes
The Clerk of the Superior Court
primary record keeper for the county
The Judge of the Probate Court
oversees property deeds, marriage licenses, wills, and supervises elections.
The County Commissioner/Board of Commissioners
power to adopt ordinances, daily operation of government.

4. City Government
Just as the state of Georgia is subdivided into 159 counties, so each county contains multiple cities…
Over 500
No legal difference between a city, town, or village.
Approved and incorporated by the General Assembly.
A city or town (municipality) is established by a Municipal Charter, which is a written document that sets up its governmental structure including the type of government, boundaries, and powers it will have.
A city’s purpose is to provide services beyond those provided by counties:
- schools -Taxes police protection - fire protection
- garbage collection - water services
- administer state programs

5. What do you remember about County and City government?
___ 1. Created by the state constitution
___ 2. Created by a legislative charter
___ 3. The principal law enforcement
officer in the county government
___ 4. Responsible for tax collection
___ 5. Administers oaths, manages court
records, custodian of the court seal
___6. Administers estates, name changes,
adoptions, marriages, etc.
___ 7. The principal law enforcement
officer in the city government
___ 8. The most common form of county
government.
A. Sheriff
B. Bd. Of Commissioners
C. Cities
D. Tax Commissioner
E. Probate Court Judge
F. Clerk of Superior Court
G. Counties
H. Chief of Police

6. What do you remember about County and City government?
_G__ 1. Created by the state constitution
_C__ 2. Created by a legislative charter
_A__ 3. The principal law enforcement
officer in the county government
_D__ 4. Responsible for tax collection
_F__ 5. Administers oaths, manages court
records, custodian of the court seal
_E__6. Administers estates, name changes,
adoptions, marriages, etc.
_H__ 7. The principal law enforcement
officer in the city government
_B__ 8. The most common form of county
government.
A. Sheriff
B. Bd. Of Commissioners
C. Cities
D. Tax Commissioner
E. Probate Court Judge
F. Clerk of Superior Court
G. Counties
H. Chief of Police

7. Forms of City Government
Three types of government a municipality may have.
Weak-mayor/council =
Strong-mayor/council =
Council-manager = a person who is hired, can be fired

8. Forms of City Government
A lot of power

9. Special-Purpose Administrations
Special-Purpose Districts or Administrations…
Local Government
Special-Purpose Administrations
Established by cities or counties to meet specific needs
Funded by loans or user fees CLASS: Are These Taxes?
Flexible, can provide services
across county or city lines, and
concentrate on a single need.
Examples: School Systems, MARTA, Parks & Recreation Authorities

10. __ 1. Clear separation of powers between mayor and council; mayor hires and fires, administers budget, and may veto the city council
___ 2. Mayor is ceremonial and the council runs the city’s day-to-day operations
___ 3. A powerful city council hires a person to run the city
A. Council Manager
B. Strong Mayor- Council
C. Weak Mayor- Council
___ 4. Special-purpose government is a form of local government. T / F
___ 5. A public school system is a special-purpose government. T / F
___ 6. Taxes help pay for special-purpose governments. T / F
___ 7. Special-purpose governments may not cross city lines. T / F

11. B__ 1. Clear separation of powers between mayor and council; mayor hires and fires, administers budget, and may veto the city council
C___ 2. Mayor is ceremonial and the council runs the city’s day-to-day operations
A___ 3. A powerful city council hires a person to run the city
A. Council Manager
B. Strong Mayor/ Council
C. Weak Mayor/ Council
T___ 4. Special-purpose government is a form of local government. T / F
T___ 5. A public school system is a special-purpose government. T / F
T___ 6. Taxes help pay for special-purpose governments. T / F
F___ 7. Special-purpose governments may not cross city lines. T / F

12. ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS:
In a democratic society, rule of law influences
the behavior of citizens, establishes
procedures for making policies, and limits the
power of government? In what ways do the
Constitution of 1983, the separation of powers
in Georgia’s government, and the requirement
to have a balanced budget limit the powers of
Georgia’s government? Explain.

13. Assignment / Task
Students will create a newspaper article about an issue in their community.
The article should have a catchy heading / title
The article should have a date
The article should have an author
The article should have
An explanation of the problem/issue
How the issue was discovered
How the issue should be resolved

14. How might conflicts be peacefully resolved?
SS8CG5
What are the differences in functions and purposes of city and county governments in Georgia? (CG5a)
How are the three major forms of Georgia’s city governments alike and how are they different? (CG5b)
What are the functions of special purpose governments? (CG5c)
SS8CG6
How does the juvenile process differ from the adult process?
How do the rights of juveniles differ from those of adults?
What are the seven offenses for which a juvenile may be tried as an adult?